You don’t want to ruin all your hard work this year by gaining weight during the holiday season. Holidays and eating fattening foods go hand-in–hand. You can have Thanksgiving leftovers for a few weeks. Then, Christmas comes around. New Year. Research shows that 75% to 75% of an individual’s weight gain occurs between Thanksgiving and December 31st. What can you do to avoid holiday weight gain?
You can avoid weight gain by eating a nutritious meal prior to attending holiday parties or events that include food. Don’t be afraid to have a wild Thanksgiving. One day will not ruin your waistline. Healthy food is key for other holidays. Before you leave for the event, eat fruits and vegetables. Healthy food will fill your stomach and make you less likely to snack on junk food.
You can also focus your attention on something other than food. Focus your attention when attending parties on the people around you. Socialize and mingle. Grab a nutritious snack and some water. You can talk to people and have a lot of fun at events. You will gain weight if they do.
A third option is to continue with your regular weight loss Strategic Individual Plan Actions (SIPA), and workout routine. Walking every day, or doing your daily jumping rope workout is a good option. A few slips can cause some damage but you will be able to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks. If you quit exercising and eating right, you’ll see a difference. Keep going if you enjoy exercising or participating in sports such as swimming or tennis.
Fourth, eat slowly. Slower you eat the more your body will eat when it is full. It is easy to overeat if you eat fast. Slowly chew your food. Talk between bites. Take plenty of water, and have salads along with your meal. You will feel fuller. Before you start adding another meal to your plate, allow yourself enough time to register the first one. You will end up overeating if you do not.
A fifth approach is to all things in moderation. Make plans for the year. It is much easier to prevent weight gain than to lose it. Spend time with family and friends during holidays. It’s not necessary to eat excessively in order to have a great time. Make healthy decisions and eat in moderation. It is possible to avoid holiday weight gain through smart choices and action. You can do this by practicing self-regulation.