How to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

Tips to Follow to Avoid Those Extra Five to Ten Holiday Pounds

Sep 28, 2008

You don't have to be one of the people at a late holiday party this year talking about the extra five to ten pounds you've packed on since Halloween. Here are some tips

If the holidays have spoiled your dieting success in the past, you can make this year different by following a few guidelines.

Cover the Basics of Living

*Eat. Yes, you're busy, but don't skip meals especially breakfast. Your metabolism will slow down. Also, you might end up foraging at fast food restaurants or vending machines. Pack some brown bags to be handy to take with you to work or when you go Christmas shopping. Pack them with nutrition bars, oatmeal bars, cereal, fruit, a hard-boiled egg, and/or a can of tuna. You'll thank yourself when the holiday snacks start showing up at work too.

*Sleep. Yes, you have a lot to do. Too much to get done to be dragging around. If you don't get your eight hours, you might end up looking to food to pep you up.

*Exercise. Keep your stress levels down and your calorie burning level up. If you don't have time, make some. Shoot for 30 minutes a day minimum.

*Relax. Keep your stress levels down so you won't be tempted to do emotional eating. Try some yoga and deep breathing.

Attending Holiday Parties

*Indulge moderately. Total deprivation will just end in self-pity and you might just give up trying to be good. Before you go to a party, eat some high fiber foods that will make you feel full like a bowl of oatmeal or some vegetables.

*Drink water. Stay hydrated for the season. When you get to a party start drinking water to feel full and to cut down on alcohol drinking.

If you're invited to a holiday buffet, do an inventory of the table. Make sure you're not first in line because then you'll be done first and you will be more tempted to go up for seconds. Then fill your plate with grilled and fresh items, vegetables and fruit and small portions of two or three items not available year round. If you must have egg-nog make it low-fat. If you must drink alcohol, have a glass of water for each glass of alcohol.

If you have a dinner party make all healthy foods. Be sure to send any fattening holiday foods people may have brought home with them.

A Couple of Last Things to Remember

When dining out with friends or family, try to be the one to choose the restaurant. Choose ones where you know you will have healthy menu choices.

You will need your food diary now more than ever. Enter your daily food intake faithfully so there will be no calorie surprises that creep up on you.

The copyright of the article How to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain in Weight Loss Methods is owned by Maryellen Grady. Permission to republish How to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.