Holiday Survival: Celebrate Without Weight Gain
For individuals who want to lose weight, or are trying to maintain fitness or health goals, the holidays are riddled with obstacles for self-sabotage or over-indulgence. The holidays are a time of year for gathering with friends and loved ones. Most of the time celebratory foods and beverages are served and many of these holiday treats are laden with extra fat, salt, sugar and simple carbohydrates. Every family has their own traditional recipes and foods that are favorites. Eating together is a way of sharing good times and memories associated with special foods that are shared at holiday tables. Often, holiday meals include pressure from well-meaning others who want to make sure that you are having a good time and are not deprived. Here are some survival tricks that others have used to celebrate without unwanted weight gain, feelings of guilt or deprivation.
1. Moderation- enjoy your favorite foods but just take a small portion of each.
2. Eat slowly and savor each bite. Your sense of taste becomes dulled after too many bites anyway.
3. Keep well hydrated. Drink more water and have a big glass before meals.
4. Have sparking water with lemon or lime between or instead of alcoholic beverages.
5. Ask for a half glass of wine instead of a whole.
6. Notice when you are full and wrap up some of your favorite foods for later.
7. Exercise more and park farther away from stores or work to increase opportunities for walking.
8. Don’t eat in your car.
9. Appease friends and relatives by taking some for later or just having a taste.
10. Only eat the foods you like best, don’t waste your time on the rest.