Holiday Diet Tips
The best holiday diet tips to help you avoid holiday weight gain. Ahh, the holidays! From the candy-and-sugar fest of Halloween to the appetizer-and-champagne celebration of New Year's Eve, it's easy to gain from one to five pounds during the holiday season. And most people who gain a few pounds never lose them, so after a few years, the weight can really add up. But it doesn't have to!
Stick to Basics: An easy holiday diet tip: at holiday dinners, avoid the high-calorie "extras" such as gravy, jello salads, dressing, etc. Stick to the basics of protein and non-starchy vegetables. Chill Out: Figure out a way to de-stress during the holidays. Whether it's meditation, a yoga class, or a long hot bath, keeping stress at bay will help to curb overeating. Move It: Since you're likely to consume extra calories during the holidays, doesn't it just make sense to increase your level of exercise in order to compensate for the additional calories? Add an extra 10 minutes to your cardio workouts, or add one additional weekly workout during the holiday season. Take a walk before you go out for the evening, or after a holiday luncheon. Always balance extra food with extra movement.
Chow Down: Eat something light but filling before a holiday event. An apple with peanut butter, a handful of almonds, a small serving of prepared tuna salad, even something as simple as a hunk of cold chicken breast, all will keep you feeling full for hours and will help diminish cravings and impulse eating.Walk Away: If you're having a hard time resisting the buffet table, walk away from it. Go to another room, or just get busy - help the hostess do dishes or pour drinks. Healthy Choices: If you tend to eat more food at holiday gatherings because you're stressed or nervous, that's ok. Just be sure to choose the right foods - vegetables, shrimp, or other low-cal, healthy foods. Don't Drink: At least choose your drinks carefully. Eggnog and Tom & Jerry's are loaded with fat and calories. A wine spritzer or a vodka tonic are much better choices. If you have more than one drink, have a glass of water between drinks. Prioritize: If you're craving a big piece of Aunt Martha's pumpkin pie, decide what you're willing to give up in exchange. Skip the marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes and that second helping of stuffing, and that piece of pie won't do irreparable damage. Accountability: Hire a personal trainer for once-a-week sessions in November and December. Tell the trainer your goals. He'll help you achie those goals and keep you on track, and you'll have an outside source that will hold you accountable throughout the holiday season.
Pep It Up: Give yourself a pep talk every day during the holidays. Tell yourself how proud you are of yourself for the control and restraint you show at holiday events, and how grateful you are for your strong, healthy body. Just Say No: Friends and relatives are notorious for pushing food on us during the holidays. Learn to say no, and say it often. You might have to say it two or three times, but say it. The Gift of Health: If you typically give homemade cookies or candies as gifts, consider making something healthier, such as a trail mix or a low-fat nut bread. Not only is it healthier for the recipients, it will prevent you from munching on high calorie treats while you're baking.
The best holiday weight loss tip? Don't let the holidays be an excuse to eat whatever you want. You're much better off developing a healthy relationship, and a healthy game plan, for dealing with the holidays. What are your holiday diet tips?
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