Yes, you can Avoid Weight Gain during the Holidays
The holiday season is full of celebrations and family get-togethers. Most of these events revolve around food-and not just any food-special recipes involving LOTS of calories. Combine this with the wintry weather which makes an exercise program harder to stick with, and many people face January about 10 pounds heavier than they were in November.
If you’d like to maintain
your weight during the
holiday season, here are
some practical tips.
Practice moderation
to avoid holiday weight
gain
Your mom makes a
special fudge every
year. You’re faced
with fancy holiday
cookies and cakes.
And don’t forget the
high calorie egg nog! If any of these are your special weakness, practice moderation. Have one cookie or piece of fudge, don’t deny yourself entirely. Have a half cup egg nog instead of a whole cup. You’ll be able to enjoy the fun and still be able to face the scale in the morning.
Check out the buffet table and hone in on the low calorie foods. Is there a veggie plate? Eat all you want of those and you’ll be too full for lots of sweets. Even if you try some of the dips, veggies are by far better than chips or crackers. Fresh fruit, salads and lean meats, like turkey, are also good bets.
If you drink alcohol, limit how much you drink. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories and could also make you forget your resolution to eat sensibly.
If your office is full of holiday treats, bring your own healthy snacks so you won’t be tempted. Better yet, bring some to share.
If you’re planning a holiday party or going to one where you have to bring a dish, make your own veggie or fruit plate with a low-calorie dip made with yogurt. Others trying not to gain weight will thank you. If you love to cook, research healthy substitutions for otherwise fattening dishes.
When cooking look for low calorie substitutions, such as 1% milk for whipping up mashed potatoes instead of cream and a healthy butter substitute instead of real butter.
Remember, the holidays are about family and friends, not just food and eating. Practice mindfulness so you will enjoy every moment of the holidays.
If you know you have a holiday party in the evening, eat lightly the rest of the day.
Four Holiday Weightloss Tips that Really Work!
During the holidays or anytime, drink lots of water to keep toxins flushed out and help you feel full so you don't get hungry.
Eat lots of whole grains, which also help you stay full so you don't overeat the cookies and candy during the holidays. Here are some great recipes for grains you might not always eat like millet, buckwheat and quinoa. These make great holiday pilafs or salads.
Try eating cultured veggies each day to help your digestion and increase weightloss. When your body is getting all the friendly bacteria and digestive enzymes it needs, you lose your sugar cravings, feel fuller and make optimum nutritional use of all the food you eat.
Try some new holiday recipes that are healthy, sugar free and low fat.
Exercise
Sure, it’s tough to find time during the holidays but try and stick to your exercise routine. It's even more important at this time of year. If weather permits, go for a walk.
If weather is bad, put on music and dance or use an exercise video. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Exercise not only helps you handle holiday stress, it helps you burn holiday calories
Relax to avoid stress eating during the holidays
- Do yoga to a CD or video
If you feel lonely or depressed during holiday times, find a charity that needs your help. Volunteer opportunities abound during the holidays. Help serve Christmas dinner to the homeless or collect gifts for foster children. You won't have time for over-eating.
Be sure to get enough sleep
This may sound elementary but during this busy time, late nights can become routine. Give yourself a good 30 minutes of relaxation time before bed. Make lists so you won’t lay awake thinking of all you have to do.
Whatever happens, don’t beat yourself up if you have an extra piece of fudge. Enjoy your holidays and don’t stress out. Go buy yourself a journal and make a list of resolutions for the new year.
Weigh yourself every morning
Studies have shown that people who weigh themselves every day lose more weight than those who weigh themselves weekly. Don't tell yourself you'll skip the weigh-in until January.
Knowing you are going to face the scale every morning will help you eat moderately. It will also help you catch any weight gains before 2 pounds become 10 pounds.
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