Top 10 Tips to Avoid Gaining Weight During the Holidays!!

Gaining weight over the holiday season from November through January is a long running tradition that doesn’t have to continue for you this year!  There are lots of tips to stay on track and keep up the hard work that you’ve been doing throughout the year to lose and maintain weight. Check out my Top 10 Tips to Avoid Gaining Weight During the Holidays!!

1) One of the biggest mistakes people make is skipping meals in order to save calories for a later feast where they will most likely overeat.  The body isn’t made for that gameplan, so it will only backfire by holding on to calories from a meal that it can’t use as fuel all at once because your metabolism is slow from not eating all day. Remember eating SMALL meals every 2-3 hours will keep your metabolism buring strong all day!

2) Plan your meals before you arrive at holiday dinners.  If you know that you love Aunt Keri's famous sweet potato casserole swimming in butter, sugar, and marshmallows, eat some! But plan to only eat a little and keep the goal of loading up on other veggies in mind that are a bit more healthy.  By planning out the meal (such as thinking ahead to having a slice of turkey, three scoops of green beans, a dollop of dressing, and a spoon of sweet potato casserole) then you feel more empowered and have something to stick to, instead of just winging it and hoping for the best.  You can look up the calories in the planned foods ahead of time to really let you know where your goal intake should be. 

3) Healthy Plate Method- Fill half your plate with a colorful assortment of vegetables, fruit or salad. - A quarter of your plate with protein, be it turkey or ham. - A quarter with

starches. Even though foods like yam, potatoes or corn are considered vegetables, they are high in starch and should be placed on this part of your plate.

 

4) Watch drink consumption!  This doesn’t mean just alcohol, but all drinks!  Many people log their calories for foods that they've eaten but forget about the spiced cider or Dad's special Egg Nog.  Another reason to keep alcohol consumption low is that after a few drinks, you may decide to eat things that you wouldn’t have normally eaten, such as a huge piece of cake because you are feelin good and it’s in front of you.

5) Increase your workouts during the holiday season!! Increase the amount you exercise so you will be less likely to experience weight gain if you indulge in a holiday treat occasionally. Add an extra day to your exercise routine or spend 10 more minutes a day engaged in aerobic activity. Or even begin a new workout program and get a jump start on your New Year's Resolution!!

  6) Stay away from the food area as much as possible at parties. Avoid hovering in the kitchen or over the buffet area. When you hang out here you tend to mindlessly pop bite after bite in your mouth and before you know it you've consumed a TON of calories that you hadn't planned for and certainly don't need!! Instead, spend your time socializing and engaging in conversations with people in rooms that do not have food.

7) Pay it forward! When your boss or a co-worker gives you a box of See's candy in the office, graciously say thank you and bring it to an upcoming potluck you have. This way if you'd like to have ONE grab one at the party and then walk away. Allow your loved ones to help you eat the box of chocolate that you normally would have gobbled up watching Sunday Night Football.

8) Eat BEFORE you go to the party! Don't show up to a gathering hungry or you will be tempted to overeat. Eat a healthy snack like veggies and hummus or drink your Shakeology just before you head out the door. It will take the edge off your hunger.

9) Bring a healthy dish to your parties! Often times we go to parties where the food is already prepared and the ingredients or nutritional value is out of our hands. So why not bring a dish that you KNOW will work for you so that you can stay on track and enjoy your time. Most of the time your family and friends wont even know that they're eating healthy or clean!! Check out these clean party recipes!!

10) Start today. Be firm with yourself and don’t make excuses. There are many things in life we can’t control, but you do have the power to get in shape, to put yourself first, to control what you eat. So stop saying "Oh I'll start in January, and START TODAY!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

If you are interested in learning more about how you can start your journey to getting fit please contact me at mel_svale@hotmail.com or visit my site for additional information.  www.beachbodycoach.com/mrsbez

I would love to coach you to your weight loss goals and help you transform your life!