Stress Archives

5 Tips for Beating Social Overeating

Written by Darcy Smith - Posted on 22 December 2014

Ahh, the holidays. A time for family, giving back, good cheer – and food. If you’ve got major alarm bells going off at that last one, fear not! Holiday indulgence doesn’t have to be a one-way ticket to winter weight gain.

Here’s how you can indulge in the spirit of the season (and yes, a little chocolate, too) without sacrificing your weight loss goals to social overeating:

1. Hit the Dance Floor.

Hanging out at the snack table all night is the best way to ensure you’ll absent-mindedly eat a whole bowl of creamy dip – and the chips to go with it. Instead, invite friends and family to let loose on the dance floor (bonus cardio included!).

2. Get Moving.

Whether you brave the elements for a winter run or take a sweaty aerobics class, morning exercise gets your day off on the right foot, and helps keep food cravings at bay. Invite friends to work out with you to take food out of the social experience.

3. Don’t Go Hungry.

Showing up with low blood sugar and a hankering for cheesecake is a recipe for disaster. Snacking on a healthy treat – like a PGX® Nut Butter Chocolate Smoothie* or PGX® Bliss Energy Balls – will help you with that elusive self-control when your host offers up yet another piece of fudge.

4. Come Prepared.

Know your in-laws have a thing for white flour and white sugar? Offer to bring something – then bring the healthiest, most satisfying dish you can, and stick to that!

5. Be Mindful.

Easier said than done, sure, but that second (third?) piece of cake isn’t truly nourishing. Savour every bite of a delicious holiday treat – you’ll enjoy it more, and eat less.

Plan ahead with PGX® for a gourmet-without-the-guilt holiday season – and most importantly, have fun!

*Note: Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®

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6 Simple Solutions for Occasional Stress

Written by Darcy Smith - Posted on 17 October 2014

PGX-Canada-blog-stress-relief

It’s easy to fall into the busy trap. We’re encouraged to believe we can “have it all”, but while we’re distracted with the pursuit of more, the important things – moments of connection and peace – can fall off the radar. Pretty soon, occasional exhaustion and everyday stress are in the drivers seat.

When it comes to stress relief, less really is more. These simple solutions will help you reclaim your life.

Eat Mindfully – Devote an extra 5-10 minutes to each meal. Take small bites, and put your fork down between each to encourage a slower pace. Stress affects your digestive system, too, so slowing down at dinner can help you digest better – leaving you with more energy overall.
Respect Routine – Establish a morning and evening routine to simplify your day. That way, you won’t be rushing out the door every day, or staying up too late and sacrificing sleep.
Find Time for You – Make a list of the things that make you feel happy and fulfilled – like taking a bath, going for a run, or snuggling with your little one. Each day, carve out ten minutes (or more) for one of them. This valuable “you time” will help you recharge.
Breathe – Breathing is an amazing way to stop the stress cycle. Slow, deep breaths calm your nervous system, so take 5 minutes when you first wake up to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. When you feel overwhelmed, a few deep breaths will quickly return you to a state of relaxation.
Manage Mealtime – Healthy eating is the best way to set yourself up for overall health, but also the hardest to tackle during a busy day. Devote an hour a week to prepping a big dish or two – maybe soup or stew – that you can serve up all week long.
Do Less – Prioritize what you need to do and what you really want to do – the rest of it? Not important. Allow yourself to let go of stress simply by simplifying your schedule.

How do you deal with stress? We’d love to hear your tips!

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