When we think of the holiday season, many of us think of family and friends, parties and presents. Or, perhaps you are one of those that think of pastries and pies. Whatever the case may be, there is no need to anticipate an increased weight gain over the holidays. The following methods when used alone or in combination really do help to maintain your weight from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION — How sick are we of hearing this one? However, if we’ve heard it so much, there must be something to it. Don’t deny yourself something you really want. Have a small portion and enjoy it. (Guilt just eats away at flavor while your chewing.)
BEWARE OF BOWLS — Nuts in little glass bowls on tables, eggnog in a punch bowl, bowls of festively wrapped holiday candies. These are all high calorie things that we often graze on and fill up on without even realizing it.
JUST SAY NO TO LEFTOVERS — Enjoy your holiday meal, then get it out of your house. If you’re hosting, send guests home with heaping plates of leftovers. If you go to someone’s house don’t take any food home with you. (Unless of course they’ll be offended, in which case you must somehow manage to forget your leftovers, then phone later to express how upset you are that you forgot them.)
STAY ACTIVE — Believe it or not, the gym is open on Thanksgiving. The hours are most likely modified but you can still get in a good 30-60 minute workout. If guests are coming to your home, entertain no thoughts of leaving the house and figure your stress and aggravation are the equivalent of an advanced Tae-Bo class.
THERE’S ALWAYS NEW YEAR’S — If you go on a feeding frenzy for a few days around Thanksgiving the worst thing to do is call the season a wash and stuff yourself right on through eight nights of Hanukah. Accept what’s happened and resolve to start a healthy eating plan tomorrow.
WATER — The key to not overeating. Drink a full glass of water before you sit down to dinner or begin snacking on appetizers. This will make you feel more full faster and you will be less likely to overeat. Also, for every alcoholic beverage you consume drink one glass of water. This will help you to drink less. Since alcohol dehydrates the body, drinking a glass of water to match each alcoholic beverage will keep you more in balance, less likely to over indulge.
EAT BEFORE YOU EAT — Make sure you don’t arrive at a party or someone’s house absolutely ravenous. Chances are dinner will not be served for at least another hour and this time often allows for dip, alcohol and fruitcake consumption. Eat something before you leave the house to tide you over to dinner, and then enjoy the good stuff.
