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The part of the year where most holidays occur. Ahhhh! Tis the season.
Holidays allow us time to socialize with family and friends, eat savory foods, enjoy spiked drinks, and the excuse to be lazy to recoup from all the celebrating.
As your pants slowly start growing tighter, you quietly tell yourself.”I will start my weight loss or healthy living on January 1st.” But every year, without fail, it’s the same routine.
You eat, drink and sleep to your heart’s content, which causes you to gain the same holiday season pounds as the previous years.
Next, you make the New Year’s resolution to work out and eat healthy to lose the pounds you gifted yourself.
You go to the gym and eat healthy during January. February, you slowly start losing willpower. By March, your New year’s resolution becomes an Epic Fail.
Sound familiar? Studies have shown that typical Americans may gain five to ten pounds over the six-week holiday season.
This year avoid the average weight gain by maintaining healthy habits during the holiday season.
10 Ways To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
1.) Limit Alcohol Intake
Drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions, which may cause you to overeat.
Limit yourself to one drink and sip it slowly during an event or gathering.
If possible, choose an alcohol beverage that is low in sugar to avoid access to calories.
2.) Learn To Say No
Pressure from the hostess to eat more is a common issue that is faced during the holiday season.
To not offend the host and your waistline, take seconds in much smaller portions.
Your hostess will not even notice the portion size, and your waistline will thank you later.
3.) Use A Smaller Plate
Plate sizes have grown significantly over the years.
If possible, use a salad plate which is on average 8 inches round instead of a large dinner plate, which can be as large as 12 inches round.
Using smaller plates encourages smaller portion sizes.
Even with a smaller plate, your brain will still equate your plate as a full plate.
4.) Drink Water
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is easy to forget to drink water.
Make it your goal to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Your body can easily confuse being thirsty with being hungry, so drinking water will keep you from eating when your body was actually thirsty.
5.) Weigh Twice A Week
Some experts recommend weighing once a week or even less, but during the holiday season, weighing twice a week may help keep the pound from sneaking up on you.
6.) Eat Slowly
Eating Slow is not an easy task, but necessary because it takes your brain on average 20 minutes to receive the signal from your stomach that it is full. Take your time and chew your food slowly to enjoy every bite.
7.) Never Skip Meals or Go Anywhere Hungry
Skipping meals may seem like a smart way to “save up” calories to eat and drink later, but it can set you up to eat way more calories than you bargained for.
Instead, try eating a lean protein snack such as cheese or yogurt to take the edge off your hunger and keep you in control.
8.) Stay Active
Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind during the holiday season, but it is a must if you are to keep your weight in check.
Don’t worry if you cannot maintain your usual workout routine… Just stay active.
Instead of taking a nap after you eat, take a 10-20-minute walk around the block.
9.) Reduce Stress
The holiday seasons are joyous, but they can also become stressful with tasks such as visiting family, cooking, and shopping.
Increased stress can trigger increased eating and cravings.
If you feel yourself becoming stressed, try out these ways to de-stressed before you go for junk food.
10.) Don’t Punish Yourself
The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed, so don’t deprive yourself of everything because it has the possibility of backfiring.
Instead, indulge in holiday food and drink in moderation.
Enjoy Yourself and Happy Holidays!
-Shameka
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
