11 WAYS TO AVOID WEIGHT GAIN DURING THE HOLIDAYS

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Chances are you read that title and chuckled. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “That’s as doable as Santa going down millions of chimneys on Christmas Eve.” Ah, but he does so maybe the title is not so far off.

What if you had some science-backed techniques to help you? It might make your effort a bit easier.  Read the 10 top ways to avoid gaining weight and see what works for you.

Be Realistic
You know that the festive season brings great parties and delicious food. So, pretending that you’re going to eat only one Christmas cookie is the exact opposite of realistic.

Instead of going all out, be honest with yourself. Acknowledge that you’re going to eat more than you normally do and that you need to set some boundaries.

Impartial goals are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. A gift you can give yourself is to improve the way you consume food, so set some boundaries and one or two goals for yourself.

Write down attainable goals and post them on your cupboard or fridge. Seeing them each day re-enforces your desire to be realistic and honest with yourself.

Make Smart Choices
An hour before heading out to a party or event, snack on some high-fiber foods, veggies, and proteins. All these will keep you feeling full for longer.

Then, once you’re at the event, use smaller plates. You’ll be forced to eat smaller portions.

Another smart choice is to chew slowly. We know that parties aren’t the best place to savor each bite. In short, be mindful of your eating. Give it a try, you’ll notice how delicious everything is and you’ll feel full quicker.

Give Out Parting Gifts
When we throw a party we often have piles of leftovers in the kitchen. Instead of getting stuck with the leftovers, why not pass them out as parting gifts?

You can invest in some disposable food containers, fill them up, and hand them out as your guests are leaving. Even better, pick reusable containers with a holiday theme to give your guests an extra parting gift.

Go Easy On The Alcohol
When you consume alcoholic beverages, you’re loading up on extra calories without even realizing it. For example, a regular beer has about 153 calories, while a glass of wine has about 133 calories.

Not only that, but excessive drinking makes you act irresponsibly, especially around food. So, let’s say in normal circumstances you eat just a couple of snacks periodically.

When you’re inebriated, however, you’re more likely to take bigger risks. You may very well end up gobbling several cookies at one sitting, rather than just a couple as you normally would.

Freeze Leftovers
If you don’t feel right about giving your guests leftovers, you can keep the extras. But don’t keep them in the fridge. Freeze them instead.

You’ll be less likely to reach for second helpings. Plus, you’ll have a ready-to-serve dinner all set for a later date.

Drink Water
Water is often under-appreciated and under-rated. What do you think about that? It is colorless and odorless yet it gives us several  health benefits.

Since this article is about avoiding weight gain, let’s start with that. Drinking water regularly throughout the day will help you lose weight. It makes you feel satisfied, so you don’t eat as much.

More importantly, it’s not filled with artificial sugars that increase your caloric intake. Limit yourself to one glass of soda, juice, or wine each day. An excellent trick here is to sip your special drink rather than gulp it down. Carry a half glass around when circulating among guests or putting your hand over your drink signaling that you are not ready for a refill.

Then, for the rest of the day or evening, stick to water. You’ll start to feel less on edge and worn out because water washes out toxins from your body.

Chew Gum
Can chewing gum actually curb your appetite? The science is inconclusive about this one.

But it’s a good way to get your mind off of all the food and sweets. Pop a bit of gum in your mouth after treating yourself with a sweet thing and you will be less inclined to help yourself to a second portion..

If you prefer hard candy to chewing gum, that’s okay too. Just remember to get the sugar-free kind so you’re not harming your teeth.

Turn Off the TV
Eating while you’re watching TV has been linked to overeating and making poor food choices. You get sucked into whatever you’re watching. Then, before you know it, that newly opened bag of chips is now a loose pile of crumbs.

It’s not only mindless watching that gets you. It’s also all those commercials for processed snacks and sugary drinks that increase our cravings for low-nutrient junk foods.

Get Your Steps In
Not all of us can go to the gym three days a week during the holidays. There’s too much on our plates as it is! A rather apt pun for this time of the year.

So, to make up for it, you have to make a conscious decision to stay active. Why not use the stairs instead of the elevator? How about parking far from the mall entrance so you have to walk a few more steps than normal?

Some people think this is a waste of time, but it is one way to keep fit when you are actually pressed for time.

It’ll help burn off those extra calories. Plus, any type of physical exercise reduces stress and pent-up tension you may be feeling due to all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

De-Stress
The holiday season is merry and bright. It’s also full of stress and anxiety for many.

The problem is that too much stress usually triggers cravings and overeating. And what’s the first thing you’re going to reach for when you’re anxious and tense? Sugary snacks packed with carbs, of course.

Studies show that there’s a direct link between stress-related eating and obesity. So, instead of letting the holiday strain get to you, try some de-stressors. This can be as simple as five minutes of doing mindful meditation or reading your favorite book.

If you prefer something more hands-on, why not treat yourself to something special. It needn’t be a big thing just something that will release a bit of tension for you. a facial. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. You deserve it!

I hope this has been helpful for you as you move into this festive season.

Thank you for reading and as always,
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Stay safe, keep well and continue becoming the best version of yourself,
Richard Fontanie

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