Avoid Holiday Weight Gain With These 7 Tips
With Thanksgiving behind us the holiday season is in full swing, and we’re in over drive. There’s shopping, visiting, Christmas parties and treats every where you go. A taste here and an indulgence there can really add up to unwanted weight gain and tight jeans come the new year. It doesn’t have to be this way – everyone always regrets it afterwards. Remember last year’s moans and groans when you stepped on the scale. “Ugh, I shouldn’t have.......” It’s estimated that the average American gains between 5 and 8 pounds between Thanksgiving and new years eve. We can consume thousands of empty, extra calories during the happy holi-daze. Most people are on auto-pilot and are not even aware of how much they are consuming... this tradition can wreck havoc on your health. This year, we’re going to help you be more pro-active with lifestyle strategies that will go a long way , keep these tips in mind:It is easier to get distracted from how much you’re eating at social gatherings. Make an effort to check in with your body and decide how you want to feel. If I stop now Am I ‘satisfied’, ‘energized’, do I feel good’ - vs - continuing to eat and feeling ‘stuffed’, ‘miserable’, ‘sick’. Be a food snob. Skip the store-bought goodies, the dried-out fudge and the so-so stuffing. If the food doesn't taste as good as you expected, stop eating. Think of how much less you'd eat if you only ate things that tasted fabulous! Pace your eating prior to the event so you will be hungry but not famished at mealtime. Ignore the old diet advice of "eat before you go to a party so you won't be tempted." That is absurd! You want to be hungry enough to enjoy your favorites. Offer to bring something. Make it something delicious and guilt free. Be cautious of "obligatory eating" - avoid eating just because it is on the table, on your plate, because you paid for it, or because someone made it. Deal with Food Pushers with a polite but firm, "No thank you." If you're concerned about hurting their feelings, ask for the recipe or a small portion to take home with you for another meal. Get your workout in: Head to the studio for a calorie burning, energy producing workout, or take a walk, bike ride, or jog around the neighborhood. If you’re pressed for time 10 minutes is better than none. A workout will actually make you feel better and help to suppress your appetite so you’re less likely to overeat. And consider ramping up your workouts over this next few weeks so you're expending a little more energy in anticipation of the increased caloric intake. Drink enough water, and be aware of the effects of alcohol on your food intake. Don't forget that many beverages contain crazy amounts of calories too.Most importantly, enjoy family and friends, enjoy all the traditions, and delight all of your senses. It’s about so much more than the food.
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