How To Make It Through The Holidays Without Gaining An Ounce

Trying to lose weight is an ongoing battle for some people, and the holidays present a big challenge even to those who do not have a weight problem. If you have struggled through the past year to finally drop those unwanted pounds, and you are afraid you are going to put it all back on over the holiday season, fear not! There are tips you can implement to make sure that you are able to take part in the good times ahead without worrying about putting those pounds back on. 1. Have a plan in place Do not skip a meal the day of a party. Showing up hungry will just make you eat food faster, not less food. You should actually eat a small snack, preferably with protein, before you go to an event where you are going to be eating. The protein (something like a hardboiled egg or a piece of string cheese) will keep your blood sugar level even. You will be able to make better decisions when you are not irritated or hungry. 2. Drink lots of water Staying hydrated will keep you feeling full so you won’t be so apt to succumb to high-calorie temptations. Sip on bottled water or a glass of sparkling water with a wedge of lime to give it a little spritz of flavor. 3. Get a good night’s sleep Not only will you feel better when you have had a full seven to eight hours of rest each night, a recent study showed that women who didn’t have a full night’s sleep consumed an extra 300 calories the next day and opted for higher calorie foods. 4. Fill up on protein and vegetables first When faced with a beautiful arrangement of delicious delicacies, choose protein first and then fill your plate with plenty of veggies. Carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, rice, and pasta will just fill you up, and make you feel bloated. When you’re already feeling out of control, you are going to throw caution to the wind and give yourself permission to eat everything in sight. Continue to Page 2 5. Make sure your selections are worth the calories There are many desserts that look so decadent you just can’t pass them up. That is fine, and you don’t have to miss out. Just make sure that what you are eating tastes as good as it looks. If it does, take a small amount, and enjoy every bite. 6. Don’t be unrealistic No one would expect you to sit in an ice cream parlor in the summer and not have even a scoop of ice cream. The same is true for the holiday season. It would be unrealistic to expect you to attend a Christmas party without enjoying at least one or two homemade cookies. If you put yourself in a position where you must resist too many goodies at one time, you are just setting yourself up for a binge fest later on. 7. Don’t drink your calories Decide in advance if you are going to allow yourself one or two glasses of wine at a party. If you would rather enjoy a tempting treat instead of an alcoholic beverage, then just order a glass of sparkling water with a twist of lemon or lime. Calories from booze can add up quickly, so always have water with you and sip it slowly. 8. Eat from a smaller plate If it’s possible, look for a smaller plate when making your food selections. When all your food is all on a small plate, it will look like more, and you will eat less. Continue to Page 3 9. Don’t be afraid to weigh yourself If you stop weighing yourself because you are afraid to see if you gained a pound or not, you are just beginning to lose control of your weight. You may be surprised to see that because you have been following a healthy eating plan throughout the week and exercising regularly, you haven’t gained an ounce. If you find that you did gain a pound or two, don’t be discouraged. Deal with it right away so that it doesn’t become five pounds, because in no time you will have gained an extra 10 pounds! 10. Try not to miss your regular exercise program Even though it is a busy time of the year, you actually need your exercise routine more than ever. It will make you feel more in control of your weight, it will make you physically feel better, and it will help you better deal with stress since the endorphins released when you work out will calm you down. 11. When you go to a party, shift your focus off of food There’s nothing that will get your mind away from food faster than becoming interested in other people. This is the time to catch up, so find one or two people and see what’s going on in their lives. You may be surprised, you may be amused, and you just may learn something new. All of these tips are meant to help get you through the party season without doing too much damage to your body. But above all, keep in mind it is the holiday season. This does not mean you have to eat everything in sight. READ ALSO: How To Eat Healthy During The Holidays Treat yourself without abandoning all your efforts to stay healthy. Most importantly, have fun. Enjoy the colorful decorations. Sing Christmas songs. Give a gift to someone who is not expecting one. ‘Tis the season, so make the most of it! References: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov www.mayoclinic.org

How To Make It Through The Holidays Without Gaining An Ounce

5. Make sure your selections are worth the calories

6. Don’t be unrealistic

7. Don’t drink your calories

8. Eat from a smaller plate

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