Holiday Diet Tips
Awareness + Preparation + Commitment = Control!
Who can't use some easy holiday diet tips that actually work?
Most people find the holidays a challenging time when it comes to eating healthy, but to those of us trying to actually lose weight, the holidays can be downright scary!
Medical professionals used to report that the average person gained 7-10 pounds during the holidays, but more recent research contradicts that information.
Studies reported in The New England Journal of Medicine now show that the average-weight person tends to gain about one pound during the holiday season. That's not so bad, except that the study went on to report that the single pound is never lost!
The news is worse for those of us already overweight. Overweight people tend to gain approximately 5 pounds during the holiday season! Focusing on holiday diet tips can help you turn this around...
The Challenge:
All the issues that surround weight loss on a regular basis are on steroids for the holidays! - Temptation is at an all-time high
- Social gatherings and invitations multiply
- Food and drinks become the main focus
- The workplace becomes a daily buffet of holiday treats
- Emotions are magnified during the holidays
- We become busier, more stressed, and experience sleep-deprivation
- The weather makes it more difficult to exercise outside
There is hope though! These holiday dieting tips can save the day!
Holiday Quick Weight Loss Secrets:
Choose the holiday diet tips that you think will work best for you and help you reach your weight loss goals. - Be aware! Be "mindful" of what you put on your plate and in your mouth. This simple bit of advice can save the day!
- Keep a food log. This is just another smart step to help you stay aware!
- Eat slowly and savor every bite. Get in the habit of chewing your food really well.
- Avoid the party food so that you don't mess up your lipstick or get food in your teeth! This may sound silly, but it really works for me!
- Eat a small, healthy meal before attending a party so that you will be satisfied with just a "sample." As always, portion control is key!
- Volunteer to bring a dish or appetizer and make it a healthy choice.
- Prepare healthy versions of favorite holiday dishes. Healthy recipes are easy to find and no one will be the wiser.
- If your hostess is pushing food, tell her how delicious it looks and "promise" to have some later. That's a little white lie that won't come back to haunt you!
- Even if you don't normally do this, weigh yourself every morning during the holiday season and write it down in your weight loss journal. Sticking your head in the sand is never a good solution.
- Measure your waist line while you're at it and add that information to your journal. Repeat daily--just until the holidays are over.
- Focus on the people instead of the food.
- If you have a friend that is trying to lose weight (or at least not gain) you may find yourselves more successful with the "buddy-system" so that you can encourage each other.
- Keep your weight loss plans to yourself! That's the flip side of the tip above. That way you avoid the stress of having the "food police" watching you every minute. You'll have to decide which strategy would work best for you.
- Continue with your water consumption. It's important to stay hydrated, but remember that water also encourages feelings of fullness.
- Watch the holiday cocktails! Specialty coffees, eggnog, and holiday cocktails are almost always packed with calories! Enjoy a glass of wine, a wine spritzer, or a Bloody Mary. When drinking liquor, beware of the mixers. This is one of the best holiday diet tips!
- When choosing foods to eat, stick with specialty items that are only available during the holidays. Don't waste your calories on foods that you could have anytime.
- Be extra vigilant between parties. On a day with nothing special planned, eat only vegetables for the whole day, or have days where you skip all starches and sugars. Consider a cleansing-detox diet between events.
- Avoid elastic-waist clothing! Wear form-fitting clothes, Spanx, or a belt--something that makes you aware if you expand.
- Continue with your exercise routine or begin one! Even the smallest efforts can pay off! If you don't belong to a gym and the weather is uncooperative, there are easy ways to exercise indoors without special equipment!
- Finally...remember that it's called a holi-DAY, not a holi-MONTH!
If you use these holiday diet tips you will be able to enjoy the holidays without blowing your weight loss goals! Remember that every day is a chance to do it over. Dont stress over mistakes--just recommit and have a better day!
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