December 2021 - #097 - Ways to Stop Holiday Weight Gain

Happy Holiday Season Everyone and Welcome Back

When this time of year comes upon us it is easy to put on a few extra pounds, so I’m happy if I can make it through them even keeping my weight as it is. After all, not putting on extra weight during the holidays is an achievement on it’s own.

So here are a few reminders, tips or suggestions to keep your weight steady and avoid putting on any unwanted extra pounds.

Portion Control

This point is key for me. The amount that we eat is so very important.

It’s hard not to want to try a little of everything, so the smaller the portion size, the more yummy food I can try.

Eat Slower and Chew, Chew, Chew Your Food

Chewing your food helps improve digestion, makes meal times longer and fills you up more.

How to Handle Buffet Style Parties

If the event has the food in a buffet style there are a few tips that can help limit the calories you eat.

Select a small plate if possible and avoid layering food on the plate.

Go easy with dressings, sauces and dips as they can contain mucho calories too.

As mentioned above chew, chew, chew your food well. It makes you feel fuller faster and helps facilitate digestion.

It’s almost impossible to keep track of calories at these functions, and honestly, who would want to, so again portion control is key.

Limit High Calorie Drinks

We know that holiday style drinks, whether they have alcohol or are alcohol free can have quite the hefty calorie count.

Drinks such as eggnog, hot toddies, specialty coffees, hot chocolate topped with whip cream should be treated more like a dessert.

If you do enjoy alcohol, moderation is key. Drinking too much alcohol can help increase your appetite and over eating becomes easier.

Tip: When using mixes in cocktails, try using diet, zero or reduced calorie mixes to help balance out the calories that are in the alcohol.

Be More Active (before or after a meal)

Yup, that picture above is exactly what I feel like after a big family meal.

It’s no secret that for many of us that the couch (or living room floor) can be our best friend after such an eating event.

But if we can just get a little exercise in at some point through the day or night, it would be a huge plus. Plan an activity that you can do before or after meal time. Make it fun.

Perhaps a family walk to check out the holiday lights and decorations in the neighborhood. Or maybe the whole gang could go skating, sledding, dancing or bowling. Get the whole family to partake in an activity that suits your family best.

Whatever the adventure, it's a great way to get off the couch, burn off some calories and help stay healthy and fit.

Don't Let Food and Drink, Be The Main Focus

This is the time of year to spend some quality time with co-workers, friends and family.

And though food and drink shared certainly is important the holidays are really about so much more.

Great conversation, laughter, peace, love, joy, friendship and good will towards man is the real focus.

Pick your sweets wisely

I love almost all sweets. So select small portions of desserts that you love and try to leave the rest.

Don't Focus on Losing Weight

For those of you who have amazing will power during the holiday season this rule does not apply to you.

But for the rest of us it can be a challenging time. Try to focus on maintaining your present weight, which means the goal is not to lose weight, but is not to gain any extra weight.

This can be a victory in itself.

Drink More Water

Drinking a glass of water before a meal makes you feel full, which helps limit our food intake during meal times.

Water also helps prepare the body for the digestive process.

It also hydrates us, helps carry nutrients and detoxifies the body.

It also increases our metabolic rate and has zero calories, making this beverage extremely weight loss friendly.

Drinking water or zero calorie flavored waters helps keep us healthy, full and hydrated.

Most of us are familiar with the tips listed above, but it's a good time of year for a little reminder to help keep us on the right path.

Wishing you and your family health and happiness this holiday season and always.

Take care of yourselves and each other

Catherine :)

Until next time.

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