Managing weight can be challenging with all the parties, family festivities during the holiday season. With all the temptations just around the corner, it is easy to just give in and say you will get healthy in the new year. But by the end of January, the motivation goes down, and you are left with an average of 9 lbs of holiday weight gain according to the latest health study. I would like to help you maintaining your waistline over the holidays so you can start the new year with full confidence without any worries about bringing the scale down by 9 -10 lbs. The biggest enemy to holiday dieters are empty calories found in refined crackers and cookies and the liquid calories in sugary drinks. Unfortunately, it can be very hard to avoid these items when they're all that's available.
Here are a few easy tips to prepare yourself for holiday season weight management. With a little bit of forethought, you'll be able to enjoy yourself without popping a button in your trousers.
- Eat a light snack before going to holiday parties – Set yourself up for success by arriving full at least do not arrive starving. Eat a piece of fresh fruit before leaving, you can have it on your way if you are running late.
- Don’t skip meals – with the thought you can save the calories for more holiday lunch or dinner. This theory only makes you more hungry and tends to make you eat double and splurge on more fattening foods.
- Keep busy: sitting around time tends to be grazing time for snacks and sweets. Create some fun traditions that do not revolve around food. Play some games; do some fun activities with your party buddies. It will keep you busy and distract your attention from food. Remember the holiday parties are not just about eating; they are more for socializing with people.
- Plan your fitness and meals before the holidays hit to shrink your waistline.
- Keep consistent with your exercise routine – No making excuses that you don’t have time for exercise. The trick is eliminating the time wasters that are having a negative impact on your life. Replace the time wasters with 4-5 hours a week that are your scheduled “you time” hours that are non-negotiable. Not only you will see the drastic change in your physique in a short period of time but you will feel full of energy, sleep better and most importantly be proud of what you have accomplished. Even when traveling you can find simple exercises that do not require special equipment and can keep your heart rate up and keep you fit.
- Stay away from holiday buffet tables – If it is a home party; try to stay away from buffet table; where all the food is easily reachable. Keep the parties more activity oriented.
- Serve salad first: Eat veggies or small salad before serving yourself a high calorie party meal.
- Use a small plate: Even if you try to pile it on, you will eat considerably less than using a regular size plate. If only a large plate is available, then put the food in the center of your plate only.
- Make better choice: Pick white meat dish in place of dark meats. Turkey is lower in fat than dark meats.
- Watch empty calories: Alcoholic drinks are full of calories, so try to stay clear. Wine is a better choice than liquor. Lower down soft drink refills. Prefer fruit juices, flavored water or iced tea instead of soft drinks.
- Eat slowly, since it takes fifteen to twenty minutes for your brain to register that you are full. Take your time to enjoy your food. It will help you to eat less.
- Drink lots of water: Always good advice when traveling and all during the year. Water keeps you hydrated, helps detoxify your body, helps your metabolism and most importantly fills you up so you will not overeat.
- Plan your fitness and meals before the holidays hit to shrink your waistline.
- Keep consistent with your exercise routine – No making excuses that you don’t have time for exercise. The trick is eliminating the time wasters that are having a negative impact on your life. Replace the time wasters with 4-5 hours a week that are your scheduled “you time” hours that are non-negotiable. Even when traveling you can find simple exercises that do not require special equipment and can keep your heart rate up and keep you fit. Not only you will see the drastic change in your physique in a short period of time but you will feel full of energy, sleep better and most importantly be proud of what you have accomplished.