7 Secrets To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
Everybody knows how easy it is to gain weight during the holidays. With all the delicious food and drinks, you could gain at least a few pounds by the start of the new year. Yikes! You don’t have to give up all of your holiday fun. Simply modify your usual holiday mishaps!
The holidays are a time when family and friends get together to spend time together — and eat! It’s no surprise that maintaining a healthy weight during the holidays is more difficult than it is the rest of the year. Indulgent meals, cookie swaps, and holiday parties… it’s no surprise that maintaining a healthy weight is more difficult during the holidays than it is the rest of the year. According to some studies, the majority of your weight gain for the entire year occurs during the holiday season. (1)
1. Stick With Your Regular Work Out Routine
You were probably looking for something other than the obvious, but you can’t leave your workout behind. Maintain as much of your routine as possible. Most of us use a “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to exercise. Folks, I’m speaking from personal experience. It’s critical to stick to your workout routine. Because of the extra calories you’ll be consuming, you should try to be even more active than usual.
2. Weigh Yourself Regularly
Regularly weighing yourself can help you stay on track. It’s very common to gain a pound or two of holiday weight during the holidays. At least once a week, weigh yourself. Always remember to use the same scale. Weigh yourself at the beginning of each week, right after you pee, first thing in the morning, if possible. Your weight fluctuates throughout the day, obviously, depending on what you eat, drink, and how often you pee. Consider the scale as a tool that will help you stay on track. Joining a diet bet was one of my secrets to staying on track. They remind you to weigh in on a regular basis during the wager. It also helps me stay focused and gives me a goal to work toward.
3. Don’t Go Crazy
Just because the holidays are here doesn’t mean you have the free pass to eat anything and everything in sight. Just eat until you’re full. Make a small plate and eat it slowly. During this holiday season, there will be a lot temptations. Keep your goals in mind and it’ll be much easier. Enjoy your food, but do so in moderation. Take a bite of pie or share a piece with your partner. You don’t have to skip the good food altogether, just enjoy a bite or 2 and focus on filling your plate with healthy vegetables or low calorie foods.
4. Be Alcohol-Free During the Week
Do you unwind after work with a glass of wine or a mixed drink? You might want to try going without your nightly drink during the holidays. Because alcohol contains a lot of empty calories, you’ll probably drink a lot more than usual over the weekend at all the holiday parties. If you want to avoid holiday weight gain, save your alcohol calories for weekend get-togethers with friends and family. Make it a point to drink alcohol in moderation at all times. When you’re drunk or hangover, your inhibitions are thrown out the window, and it’s much easier to overeat unhealthy foods.
5. Don’t Arrive To The Holiday Party Hungry
Planning ahead can help you maintain discipline in the face of temptation. You might be tempted to try everything at the party, putting yourself at risk of overeating. When you’re hungry, party food is at its most delicious and enticing.
Before you go, try to eat a healthy snack. If you arrive hungry, drink some water to quench your thirst before putting food on your plate.
Instead of creamy sides and dishes with rich sauces, bring salads and vegetables to the party. The former typically has a high calorie content. Everything in moderation. You can have a little bit of everything by serving yourself small portions, but only within reason.
A few weeks of party mania isn’t worth loosing a year’s worth of work.
6. Don’t Stress
The holiday season is full of joy, but keeping up with family gatherings and paying for all those gifts can be stressful. Unfortunately, a lot of stress can lead to overeating and cravings, particularly for sugary carbohydrates. Stress, eating habits, and obesity are all linked. (2)
This time of year can be more stressful than merry, planning family parties, making sure dinner is on the table on time, and scrambling to get the best deal during holiday shopping. However, as stress increases your body’s production of the fat-storing hormone cortisol, you’ll gain weight. (2)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holidays, try stress-relieving techniques before you indulge in hot chocolate and cookies.
7. Start The New Year Right
No matter what happened over the holiday season, you have the opportunity to get back on track.
On January 1st, start over. Put the holidays in the past. Get back on track as soon as possible. What we do the remaining days of the year is far more important than what we do on the few weeks during the holiday season.
Use this time to reflect and focus on your goals. Check out these tips on how to have your healthiest year ever!
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