How to NOT GAIN WEIGHT Over the Holidays
December 25, 2009 by Paul
Filed under Weight Loss
Fodder, provisions — everywhere you turn there’s fodder! “To avoid over-indulging, you’ll need some proven tips to reduce the potential for the average holiday-season weight gain of five pounds,”. “For years, people have been told to drink lots of water before going to a holiday event, but honestly, that just doesn’t work for most of us,”. These updated tips have brought success to many people during the holiday feasts in the weeks to come!
Be realistic – don’t focus on losing weight during the holidays. Over the holidays a good goal is to maintain the weight you are at. You can get back on track with weight loss when the diet danger zones of November and December have passed. Also, don’t let yourself justify binge consumeing over the holidays because you expect to restrict food after Jan.When you are on your way to the party make a note to your self that you are going to eat a little more than your diet will allow. This way, you can enjoy more often, and you’ll be less likely to binge.
One thing that will help you is to eat before you go that way you don’t show up hungry. When you are famished you will eat more food just because you are feeling so hungry. eat healthy throughout the day to keep glucose levels stable and to boost metabolism; this will work to reduce hunger for an evening event. Choose a high-protein snack before an event; examples are: an apple with peanut butter, yogurt, unsalted almonds or walnuts, hard boiled egg, or nonfat mozzarella cheese.
Watch your portion. Treat yourself to a nice drink, sweets or creamy dips without fault, but keep portion sizes under control. This is a great way to sample different foods. Commit to “small plate – no piling”.
Don’t fill your plate at the buffets, take a quick survey and make the healthier choices. Decide what you’re going to devour in advance, and make only one trip to the buffet. Fill your plate with ½ vegetables, ¼ lean meat and ¼ starches.
Avoid leisure eating. Remember it takes a while for the stomach to register with the brain. “Social eating” – during the holidays is very common, and especially when everyone else eating too. Make good choices enjoy the food and when you are done wait for about 30 min before you go back to get seconds.
When offered a splurge worthy food accept it. This time of year we all have our favorites and we are looking forward to them. Why waste calories on fodders you can have anytime (chips, salted mixed nuts, dip, etc)? During the holiday season make sure to have all of the unique holiday food, try to eat everything if you can do it in moderation.
Try not to make avoiding food the goal, just know in your mind the foods with higher fat content and make healthy decisions when eating. If it’s creamy, fried, or cheese-filled, it’s going to be loaded with calories. Make a point of taking tasting portions. Low fat, high fiber chows allow you to consume a larger amount for fewer calories and not feel deprived.
Use strongly intense mints, gums and strips. These dull the taste buds and also trigger satiety messages to the brain. So use one when you arrive and more when you find yourself wanting to nibble.
Choose alcoholic beverages wisely. Keep in mind that most alcoholic beverages are high in calories the sweeter drinks can have up to 450 calories per 6 ounces! So alcohol will lower your inhibitions and in most cases cause you to overconsume; not to mention most calories from alcohol are stored in the abdomen. If you choose to drink, select light wines and beers and use non-alcoholic mixers such as water and diet soda. Funny enough, if you get drinks in tall slender glass you wont mind getting less while it seems like you are getting more.
If you have eggnog and punch go easy. Many holiday beverages are packed with calories. Choose calorie-free water or diet sodas to help fill your stomach and keep you hydrated.
Maintain perspective. Overdevouring one day won’t make or break your devouring plan. And it certainly won’t make you gain weight. It takes days and days of overconsumeing to gain weight. If you happen to binge a little its ok just don’t give up. Plan to get back on track the next day. There are going to be a few bumps on the road to healthier devouring and we have to acknowledge this to avoid fault and despair.
