How to get healthy again after an Easter blowout

If you’re anything like me, you woke up on Monday wondering just how to get healthy again after your Easter blowout.

After all, from the countless chocolate eggs, to the processed bread and bottles of wine, the Easter weekend was full of food indulgences.

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To make things worse (or better, depending on how you look at it), you probably took things pretty easy on the fitness front as well, forgoing your usual exercise routine in favour of couch time and afternoon naps.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with indulging occasionally. But the reality is, all good (read: unhealthy) things must come to an end eventually. Here are seven ways to get healthy again post-Easter, to help you get back on track…

1. Get your portion sizes right

Portion control is essential in order to get back into a healthy eating pattern – and that includes your Easter eggs. I’m talking about treating yourself to just one or two small eggs for dessert each night (NOT the whole bag!). Or, if you were lucky enough to receive a giant Easter egg, break it up into smaller pieces and limit yourself to just one piece per day for afternoon tea or dessert. Can’t control your sugar cravings? Try Abeeco Sugar Kick Formula. Not only will this prevent you overeating, you’ll also get to enjoy your Easter haul for longer!

2. Eat more raw foods

Processed foods such as chocolate, white bread and alcohol are essential for many of us over Easter, but in order to get healthy again, you will need to up your intake of raw, unprocessed foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, seafood, lean meat and dairy. To kickstart your healthy diet, try following a plant-based diet for a few days. Not that keen on cold, crunchy veggies? Try making a stir fry by lightly sauteeing them, along with garlic, ginger, chilli and a hint of salt-reduced soy sauce. Add some low-GI brown rice and voilà: A nutritious, plant-based meal! Still hungry? Make like these health bloggers and carry healthy snacks in your handbag, such as Nature’s Way Super Cacao Coated Pepitas Snack or Nature’s Way Super Cacao Coated Chia Seeds Snack.

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3. Change up your exercise routine

There’s no time like post-Easter to try a new form of exercise. If outdoor fitness isn’t your thing, look for indoor activities such as team sports, group exercise classes or even swimming. If you’re on a budget, you can also make use of your furniture at home: Bench tops, chairs and tables can be used for tricep dips, wall push-ups – the possibilities are endless. Throw in a skipping rope for some cardio and you’ll be well on your way to getting healthy, from the comfort of your own home!

4. Exfoliate your body

Now that you’ve overhauled your diet and exercise, it’s time to focus on your beauty routine. An invigorating body scrub is a must to help brighten up your skin and leave you glowing from top to toe. beautyheaven recommends C Lab & Co Coffee Scrub, which is formulated with 100 per cent natural ingredients (including roasted and ground coffee) to target cellulite, scars and skin imperfections. Prefer more of an at-home spa vibe? Try The Divine Company Exfoliating Body Scrub, which has a refreshing botanical aroma. For best results, finish with a nourishing moisturiser such as Trishave 3in1 UV Body Defense SPF30+ Moisturiser.

5. Prioritise your sleep

If diet and exercise are two of the most important pillars of health, then sleep is the third. According to internationally recognised sleep expert, Dr Carmel Harrington, sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling refreshed – “it also plays a key role in supporting brain function and building muscle mass”. If you struggle to get to sleep early, set yourself an alarm half an hour before your ideal bedtime, to make you more accountable. A sleep tracker is also a worthwhile investment, in order to help you understand your sleep quality. Most smartphones have a sleep tracking feature, but for more in-depth data, consider investing in a fitness tracker such as Fitbit Alta HR ($249.95, fitbit.com), which uses your heart rate to show your time in light, deep and REM sleep, so you can work towards getting a good balance.

6. Make time to meditate

Long weekends are great for helping us unwind, but many of us quickly lose our zen state by going into overdrive (five days’-worth of work in three days, anyone?) the following week. In order for you to perform at your best, it’s vital to take time out for yourself every day – even if it feels counterintuitive. Try following these meditation tips for beginners, going for a walk on your lunch break, or even doing some simple breathing exercises every couple of hours, to ensure you have a healthy mind, as well as a healthy body.

7. Detox your skin

Your complexion can reveal a lot about your overall health. Case in point: Those pesky chocolate breakouts, which are pretty common post-Easter. Eating healthy foods, exercising and getting plenty of sleep will all help detox your skin from the inside out, but a good skin care routine is also key. If your complexion tends to err on the oilier side, look for products that will help regulate your skin’s oil product such as Arbonne FC5 Purifying Cleanser + Toner and Arbonne FC5 Oil-Absorbing Day Lotion with SPF 15. beautyheaven also recommends a purifying skin care treatment such as Palmer’s Purifying Enzyme Mask, to clear congestion and promote a brighter complexion.