Despite people’s best intentions, the last few months of the year can test even the most disciplined dieter, including myself.
The average American starts putting on weight in October. Then comes the first of the year, and you’re 5lbs up from the 5-10 pounds you already wanted to lose!
So, here are some things you can do to prevent gaining weight this holiday season.
11 Tips For Preventing Holiday Weight Gain
1. Work your discipline muscle. Do you really need to eat till you’re painfully full? It makes you feel miserable, and it’s completely pointless. Am I right, or am I right?
2. Avoid generic foods at holiday parties—foods like chips, cheese, and crackers. You can eat those any day of the year. Go for homemade dishes or food that only gets put out on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
3. If you know the Christmas party will be on a Tuesday, keep your diet dialed the weekend before and workout harder or longer leading up to the day.
4. Be picky – if it’s not worth your calories, don’t eat it. For example, there’s a lot of cheap chocolate this time of year. Hold out for the good stuff, like Sees Candy! Keep your standards high.
5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – we eat more, have less energy, and feel more bloated when we aren’t fully hydrated. Aim for half of your weight in ounces of water a day.
6. Limit alcohol – It’s not necessarily what you drink; it’s what you eat when you drink. How often have you gone through the drive-through after a night of drinking? Plus, after a big night of drinking, you have less energy and crave more junk food.
7. Workout – even if it’s 20 minutes. I know this time of year is busy, but doing something is better than nothing. CLICK HERE for a short workout you can do anywhere.
8. Use smaller plates, and don’t go back for seconds. Do you really need a second helping?
9. Don’t stand by the bar or the food at the party. You’re more likely to pick at the food when you hang out by the food. You might only eat a few calories here and there, but by the end of the night, it can add up to thousands of calories.
10. Go for a walk before or after a big meal. A short walk around the block can improve digestion, curb appetite, and burn calories.
11. Bring a healthy dish to share, like this Healthy Fall Salad. This way, you can guarantee you’ll have something to eat that aligns with your weight goals.
Bottom Line
Most importantly, be realistic about these next few weeks. Instead of swearing to be “perfect,” acknowledge this time of year is more hectic, and there are more tempting foods around. A few holiday parties and meals with family and friends won’t completely undo months of hard work and consistency.
It’s ok to get a little off track with your diet and workouts; it’s not ok to completely throw in the towel.
Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends while trying to engage in the healthiest behaviors you can. If you do that, you’ll enjoy yourself more and have no trouble surviving the holidays.
