How will you fight holiday weight gain this year? A balanced mindset and smart planning can keep you on track without feeling deprived.
While the holidays bring joy and love, they also bring calories. And it seems that no matter how hard we try to fight the temptations, they usually win. But you know what? That’s ok. We think the best approach to managing weight during the holidays is to know what to expect, go in prepared and allow ourselves to indulge, in moderation. It’s not about hitting the gym and working harder, it’s just about being smarter and more realistic.
The first thing to remember is that for most of us, this is probably not the time to try and lose weight. During the holidays, maintaining is winning in our book. The second trick is to adopt a few small changes. If you take this entire list and refuse to stray from it at all, you may be biting off more than you can chew (see how I did that?;) Then you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed and deprived. Start small and when a few tasks become habit, try adding a new one.
Thanks to Beyond The Picket Fence for getting us started right this year. We are adding nuts, hot tea, dark chocolate and a book of crossword puzzles to the grocery list. We figure that’s a good start. Then we’ll say “we can do it” and go from there!
credit: Beyond The Picket Fence
Here are some tips to fight holiday weight gain:
- Snack on nuts
- Use smaller plates
- Roasted veggies vs. mashed or casseroles
- Sample a food gift and then pass it on or throw it away
- Do an activity with your hands, such as a crossword or knitting, to keep from snacking
- Have a low-cal cocktail option in mind
- Tell yourself “I will” instead of “I can’t”
- Drink hot tea
- Enjoy a square of dark chocolate when you have a craving
- If you love to bake, choose one recipe and then share those treats with others
- Create new family traditions that are centered around activities, not eating
Visit Beyond The Picket Fence for more helpful details on each of these suggestions.
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