Many people love to eat and when the holidays approach, they feel it’s a free pass to eat whatever they want. Before they know it, the 30 pounds they took off during the year are back. Guilt and resentment settles in, and they comfort themselves with food and then gain another 10 pounds!
Most women gain weight in target zones such as hips, butt, and thighs! Men usually gain weight around their stomach aka “the spare tire,” which is not healthy.
To avoid weight gain during the holiday season, start by eating smart. According to Texas A&M International University in Laredo, “we eat an extra 619 calories per day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.” That’s a lot of calories to pack onto your body each year!
Everyone wants to enjoy the holiday season. You do not want to deprive yourself of anything because you risk “binging” on foods. Before you know it, you’re ballooning up like Violet from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
10 Ways to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain
- Do not deprive yourself. If you deprive yourself of foods you like, chances are you’ll “binge” and eat everything in sight! Indulge here and there, but do not go overboard.
- Workout longer. Add extra minutes to your workouts. This will help you to prevent holiday weight gain.
- Eat soup such as Minestrone or another alternative. Fill up on soup before your entrée arrives. You’ll feel fuller and will be less likely to eat your entire entrée.
- Carry a snack such as a protein bar or low-fat string cheese. If you’re on the go, carry a protein bar or low-fat string cheese with you. After all, you’ll need fuel to finish your holiday shopping.
- Sniff Peppermint? There’s something about peppermint that will deter you to eat less. Give it a try and see what it can do for you. If your sinuses are “clogged,” this may help to clear them as well:)
- Portion Control. Take small portions of food and do not go back for seconds!
- Use a small plate. A smaller plate will not be able to hold a lot of food. Small plates are good to use all year-round. If you use larger plates on a daily basis, consider purchasing small plates. You can go to a discount store and by them for one dollar!
- Get plenty of rest. Being sleep deprived is not good for you. Get the daily recommended about of sleep, usually 6-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Sit down and eat your food; chew slowly. When you sit down to eat, it can help you to consume less calories during the holidays. Remember to chew your food thoroughly and slowly; put your fork down once in awhile. This will help you to notice when your body sends you a signal that it’s full.
- Spice it up! Use spices such as pepper and garlic to spice up your foods. This can help you to eat less.
These are some tips to help you avoid gaining weight this holiday season. You could apply these tips no matter if it’s the holiday season or not. Go ahead and incorporate these tips into your weight loss program now! Your body will thank you for it!