Twelve Days until Christmas Countdown: Day 9
Christmas; the season of family, happiness, good TV and eating LOTS of food. This is the time of year when any diet becomes… what diet!? The average Brit eats an extra 3000 calories on Christmas day and can gain up to 4lbs during the festive season, 34% of whom are still desperately struggling to shed those pounds all the way through until Easter*.
From Christmas dinner, to work parties, to family get-togethers, food is unfortunately the centrepiece of all celebrations. But it doesn’t have to be like that; the change in routine can provide a perfect time to get fit, not fat this Christmas. The Slimming Clinic can help you achieve your weight loss goals quickly and effectively. Read The Slimming Clinic’s daily three top tips on cutting out calories, keeping fit and cooking healthy meals for the twelve day countdown to Christmas…
1. Diet: Take the bull by the horns and throw your own Christmas party – this way you’ll be in charge of what goes onto the table. Swap breaded chicken bites for marinated chicken bites, keep dips to tomato based, and offer cocktail shrimp, smoked salmon, salads or vegetable platters, and nuts and fruit for dessert. Healthy food can be exciting.
2. Fitness: Get down to your local gym and join a class of Bikram Yoga. It involves 26 postures which work every part of the body; so your organs, veins, ligaments and muscles will all reap the rewards. The sequence maximises oxygenation as well as detoxification of the entire body whilst toning and improving fitness which is perfect for your Christmas pre-tox.
3. Healthy Recipe: Sticky stem ginger duck & noodle salad (429 calories & 10g fat per portion)
Ingredients:
- 5 balls stem ginger, finely grated, plus 3 tbsp syrup from the jar
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- zest and juice 4 limes, plus 1 cut into wedges to serve
- 2 duck legs, skin removed
- 200g pack sugar snap peas
- 140g vermicelli rice noodles
- 300g bag beansprouts
- 200g pack radishes, sliced
- small pack mint, leaves picked
- 1 fat red chilli, deseeded & thinly sliced
Method:
1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. In a small bowl, mix the stem ginger, 1 tbsp soy and the juice and zest 1 lime. Put the duck on a foil-lined baking tray, scrunch up the sides of the foil around the duck, then pour over the marinade. Bake for 45 mins, turning the duck over halfway through cooking.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the sugar snap peas and boil for 30 secs, then scoop out (don’t drain the water), then transfer to a colander and run under cold water until cool. Bring the water back to the boil and cook the rice noodles following pack instructions. Meanwhile, slice the sugar snap peas on the diagonal.
3. When the noodles are cooked, drain well. Put in a large bowl, add the remaining soy, the stem ginger syrup, lime zest and juice, cooled sugar snap peas, beansprouts, radishes, mint and chilli. Shred the duck and add this, along with any juices collected in the foil. Toss everything together, then serve.
To read more on this recipe click here.
The Slimming Clinic operate 27 clinics nationwide, specializing in medical weight loss and cosmetic treatments. They are the UK’s largest chain of specialist medical weight loss clinics. They employ over 150 staff across all clinics and have their Head Office located in Bournemouth. Their portfolio of related brands include Mmm (My Meal Mentor) diet meal packs.
To book a free consultation at one of our clinics, please click https://theslimmingclinic.com/contact-us/book-appointment/.
* Statistics found on 01/12/2014 from source: http://www.womanandhome.com/galleries/diet-and-health/34798/1/0/how-to-keep-the-pounds-off-over-christmas#k0tyrW3QIKIk55AC.99