Surefire Ways to Keep Off Weight During the Holidays

Do you typically gain weight during the holidays? I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. If you can discipline yourself by following some of these “not so difficult” tips, you will be pleasantly surprised when you step on the scale after your Holiday meal.

1. Setting your mind beforehand will help you not give in. Before you even leave the house give yourself a good talk, or even write down what you will do to help you not overeat.
2. Exercise before your holiday meal will help burn off those extra calories. Muscle dictates metabolism.
3. Take some healthy appetizers with you so you’re not starving before the main meal. Such as, a vegetable tray with low fat dip, shrimp with minimal cocktail sauce or whole wheat crackers and hummus, (roasted red pepper hummus is one of my favorites!). Remember to control your portion sizes.
4. Drink plenty of water before and during your meal, at least 6-8 ozs.
5. Stop eating when you’re full. Sometimes your stomach doesn’t know it’s full right away so wait about 5-10 minutes after your first helping.
6. Eat your meal first, and then desert so you won’t eat so much. Take smaller portions but don’t deprive yourself of your favorites.
7. Don’t hang around the food table. Socialize, play a game or go outside.
8. Take a walk after your meal settles with the family. This is a fun and helps you feel much better after your meal.

Also, don’t beat yourself up if you do gain a few pounds. A way to help you get back on track after the holiday binge is a vegetable and fruit detox or cleanse. A detox will help cleanse your palette so you can avoid hard to handle cravings for high glycemic foods that stand in the way of maintaining a healthy weight.
Most of my clients have great success after a detox. They feel much better and learn to like healthy foods since they have removed the unhealthy ones. This also removes toxins that have built up over time by eating processed foods and fatty foods loaded with sugar and chemicals.

Of course, if you are a person who normally eats healthy, low glycemic foods, exercises regularly, and is disciplined to not overeat, a holiday meal won’t cause much damage. Especially if the next day you go right back to your healthy eating & exercise habits. You won’t have to worry what the scale says. It’s all about living a healthy lifestyle!