Don’t let the holidays be your excuse for falling off the weight loss wagon! According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, it isn’t that easy to hop back on…the majority of Americans never shed the weight they gain over the holidays. Thankfully, holiday weight gain isn’t a given. Keep that waistline from expanding with the following tips for staying in shape over the holidays.
Holiday Tip #1: Drink Up!
Not alcohol! One glass of red wine is perfectly acceptable, but alcohol is nothing more than empty calories, and you are more likely to overindulge in food when under the influence. Keep hunger and cravings at bay by indulging all you want in refreshing water. Before a meal, drink a tall glass. After just 10 minutes, you should feel fuller, with much less room for that extra sweet treat tempting you from the buffet table. Add some carbonation if plain water doesn’t do it for you. You can even sip on organic vegetable or chicken broth to curb cravings!
Holiday Tip #2: Eat Your Veggies!
Fill your plate with a disproportionate amount of veggies and whole grains, compared to refined foods. Green, leafy vegetables like romaine lettuce, bok choy, kale and spinach are pretty much negative calories, which means it takes as many calories to digest them as are in them. These high fibrous foods unleash appetite-suppressing enzymes and fill you up with fewer calories. High-fiber fruits, such as apples, are another good holiday indulgement because they control sweet cravings while satisfying hunger.
Holiday Tip #3: Move That Body!
The “H” in holiday doesn’t stand for Hibernation; it stands for Heavy Lifting! Well, maybe not that heavy, but a certain degree of movement is in order. The holidays aren’t about ditching your exercise program or waiting until January 1st to join a gym. The holidays are the perfect time to get out there and move your legs with a family game of bball or a stroll through the different neighborhoods to check out holiday decorations.
Holiday Tip #4: Exercise the three “Ps”
Portion control, Pacing, and will-Power are the three most important tools to implement when avoiding holiday weight gain. Don’t stack your plate full of food. Check those portions! And don’t wolf your meal down in three bites. Savor the goodness, come up for air and chat a while. After all, are holiday parties about eating, or are they about connecting with the company you keep? Eat a moderate amount, wait 10 minutes and then ask your body if it’s still hungry. Once you learn to attune yourself with your body’s true feelings of satiety and hunger, you will never overeat again! Of course, you will need willpower to respect your body’s full signals. That extra cookie might be calling your taste buds, but if your stomach isn’t hollering with hunger, then it’s best to strengthen your willpower and turn the other cheek.
Happy holidays from all of us here at Glad Lash. Enjoy the festivities…food and all!
