Quick Tips To Avoid The Holiday Weight Gain

1. Make Small Changes to Cut Calories: Making a few small changes to your diet can help you trim the calories, which can add up to real weight loss. The American Dietetic Association offers these suggestions to shave calories:
   
   • Use small plates and bowls.
   • Eat slowly, making meals last at least 20 minutes.
   • Always place a serving onto a plate, rather than eating directly from a carton, box or bag.
   • Pour drinks, except for water, into a narrow glass.
   • Choose water over drinks that contain calories.
2. Plan Ahead -  If you know you have three events in one week, plan a few extra workouts or eat very clean on the other days of the week.
3. Eat Consciously - Decide on what you are going to try and be aware of what your choices are. Avoid cream dips, crackers, breads, casseroles, potato dishes and over indulging in sugary or chocolate treats. Enjoy vegetables, deli meats, non-fried meats or fish, fruits and healthy casserole dishes.
4. Don't Arrive Hungry - If you are going to a party at night, don't starve yourself all day. Eat your regular healthy meals throughout the day.It will help avoiding extra calory intake.
5. Schedule Your Workouts and Make them a Priority - Not only will working out during the holiday season keep you in shape but it will help you release the stress that Christmas and holidays bring. Make your workouts a priority by pre-planning them into your week and allowing nothing get in the way. Don't justify missing a workout to shop, bake or any other reason, you know when the hour is over you will feel amazing and feel able to face the holiday season.
6. Drink and Be Merry? Yes, the holiday season is a time to drink and be merry but choose what you drink wisely or you will be going up a pant size in no time. Did you know an 8oz Long Island drink has 780 calories, a 5oz Margarita has 550 calories, a White Russian has 425 calories or a Mudslide has 417 calories? When is the last time people enjoyed one drink? All you have to do is take those calorie intakes and multiply them by 2,3, or 4 drinks. You can still enjoy drinking but make a good choice such as a glass of wine which has 120 calories for 5 oz or a beer which has on average 150 calories. Drinking should be done responsibly and on the big celebration days, not every single holiday event.