It’s a fact that on average, people gain about 10 pounds or more over the holidays.10 pounds!! This eating period is from thanksgiving to New Year’s. It’s no wonder that weight loss is #1 on everyone’s New Year’s resolution list. The five best things you can do to lose the extra weight and get your body back are as follows:

1. Never skip breakfast! Good old fashioned breakfast will help boost your metabolism throughout the day and keep your blood-sugar levels from spiking, preventing you from becoming a ravenous pig and making bad food choices at lunch. A great breakfast choice would include a combination of protein and fiber.

The "ultimate" weight control breakfast could be something like this:

• 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites
• 2 slices of whole wheat bread

TOTAL CALORIES: Approximately 220 calories

The egg whites and whole wheat bread will help make you feel full on the least amount of calories possible.

2. Start muscle/weight training. It’s well known that muscle burns more calories than fat. The more muscular you are the more quicker your body will burn fat. This can even help eliminate a pot belly. Try to aim for at least 10 reps on each exercise. So what’s the best weight to lift? I would recommend using the most weight you can comfortable handle for 10 reps. With a little practise you should be able to determine what is a comfortable lifting weight. After you get used to that, advance to a higher weight class.

3. Increase your daily fiber intake. Try eliminating refined,white-flour products for whole wheat versions which are high in fiber. Whole wheat choices can easily include breads and cereals. Also try other foods such as fruits, veggies and beans. These food choices will add volume to your meals without adding much extra calories.

4.Try interval training three times a week for 20 mins. Yes, it’s a whole lot easier than you might think and the benefits will help you lose that extra holiday weight much quicker than you’d thought. The best choice in machines can include the treadmill, stepper or my personal favorite for ease of motion, the crosstrainer. You can also do just regular running or jump-rope in the comfort and privacy of your own space. So how does it work?(step1) Start off with a regular 5 minute warm-up, (step 2) then do work as hard as you can for one or two minutes,(step 3) then reduce the intensity for two minutes. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until your 20 minutes are done. That’s it!

5. Join an effective, popular weightloss/weight management program. This step can really help you stay focused on your weightloss goals and sticking to them. I highly recommend Fatloss4idiots. It’s the #1 online program for a reason-It works!

1. Excessive caloric intake during workouts. Too many people overuse energy drinks, sports bars and protein shakes during workouts which often defeats the very purpose of working out by adding extra unneccesary calories.Instead, limit yourself to 250 calories for an average 30 minute workout. Any further caloric intake and your just adding weight gain instead of weightloss.

2. Not using the incline. When you set an incline on the treadmill you are increasing the activity and development of the leg muscles including the glutes and hamstrings making them stronger. This will help you burn more calories even after your workout and is a much more effective calorie burning workout vs. the standard non-inclined treadmill.

3. Not varying your workouts. One of the biggest mistakes people make is simply doing the very same workout each and every time. After the initial period when it starts to work, your body gets used to that same routine and you burn fewer calories. To overcome this static calorie burn, change one factor of your workout such as duration of time, type of machine used or intensity of the workout itself.Just mix and match the workout itself everyday so that way your body won’t get used to the same routine.

4. Using the handlebars for stability. By holding onto the handlebars you are taking more body weight off your legs which will ultimately burn less calories. Doing cardio without handlebar assistance gives you a better core workout altogether. If you must hold onto the handlebars somehow, simply put your fingers on very lightly for "imagined" support while standing up straight and not slouched.

5.Simple distractions. If your watching television or reading a magazine during your workout, you are simply not fully utilizing the calorie burning power of the workout itself. Instead just put on the Ipod and jam out to your favorite tunes, go in "the zone" as I like to call it and get pumped!

6. Not doing interval training. If your simply doing the same boring, static rythm during your treadmill or crosstrainer routine, your not getting the most calorie burning effects from your workout. Instead, try interval training. For instance, start with a 5 minute warmup then work as hard as you can for about one minute or so, then reducing the intensity to two minutes. Alternate back and forth for as much rounds as you can and make sure you increase the number of intervals on each workout. Interval training is a proven method for burning more calories in a shorter time-frame.

Muscle building programs worth taking a look at include:

Muscle Gaining Secrets

The Truth About Building Muscle

Fatloss programs worth taking a look at include:

Fatloss4idiots

Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle

With all the sorts of massages techniques out there I thought I’d give a rundown of what all the different rubdowns are for. There are 5 basic effective types of massage techniques given and they are:

• SWEDISH
• SHIATSU
• DEEP TISSUE
• HOT STONE
• THAI

SWEDISH

What is it?

The most common form of all massage techniques, this massage involves light and fast movements along the surface of the muscles.

What are the benefits?

This common massage technique will help you relax by improving circulation. If you just want to quickly relieve stress and zone out then you should definitly try this type of massage.

SHIATSU

What is it?

This Japanese form of healing works by hitting pressure points on the body. It is a similar approach that is used in accupuncture and hits similar pressure points to relieve pain and pressure.

What are the benefits?

This massage is perfect if you want to improve energy flow and eliminate stress. By regulating the energy flow in your body you are releasing stress pressure points, allowing relaxation. Try this form of massage if you are too scared to try accupuncture because of the needles involved!

DEEP TISSUE

What is it?

This massage technique is similar to the swedish massage but more intense. The deeper intensity allows it to reach deeper into your joints and muscles.

What are the benefits?

Quickly relieve aches,pains and soreness. This is a perfect massage for deep relaxation and healing injuries such as lower back and neck pain.

HOT STONE

What is it?

With this type of massage, the therapist rubs flat, heated stones all over your body.

What are the benefits?

Great for anyone that doesn’t enjoy the pressure and kneading motion of typical massages or for guys who’s sensitive to touch.

THAI

What is it?

With this massage technique the therapist stretches critical joints such as your shoulders and hips.

What are the benefits?

Greatly enhance flexibility. This massage is more like an intense, strenuous yoga session vs. a relaxing massage.

With all these wonderful massage techniques available, stress and tension can be greatly reduced. Not to mention a great massage is quite euphoric!