It is here again. The time of year many love and dread all at once. Spending time and making memories with family all while eating away the hard work you completed trying to get into that bathing suit for the summer. It is safe to say that whoever dictated what occurs from October 31st until January 2nd in our calendars never had an issue with weight.
If one could change the calendar to spread these holidays out through the entire year instead of over a course of 9 1/2 weeks, your weight could be so much easier to control. So unless you are a US Congressman willing to propose this change then here are some easy tips to avoid gaining weight over the holidays, but without giving up all the delicacies you love.
1) STAY COMPOSED
If you set in your mind that you are going to gain weight this holiday season chances are you will. Get your mindset in check and believe you are not going to gain anything. You may not lose any weight, but holding steady during the holidays is an accomplishment in itself.
2) SHOPPING
Most don't know, but when we are out shopping is when much of the holiday weight gain occurs. You are eating out or drinking specialty coffees without any sense of what you are doing. Here is how to approach your shopping excursions. Park as far in the lot as possible, even if it is snowing. Do not use escalators or elevators. Use the stairs. If the stairs are not near then walk up or down the escalators, do not ride.
When eating out, order lean proteins, such as a burger with no bun. Stay away from the fries. Try steamed veggies or rice. I bet you are thinking I am going to tell you to stay away from the specialty coffees shops too. Look, I am human also. I like the holidays as much as everyone.
Sharing coffee with a friend or just having one in your hands makes it feel like the holiday season. If you can deal with just normal coffee then do that. It is cheaper and has much fewer calories. However, some people just have to have that specialty cup of joe. So just go about it differently. Order a small, no whip cream, and tell the coffee maker to make it nonfat. This will save you a ton of calories.
3) TRAVELING
Face it we all usually have to travel short or long distances over the holiday season. So how can we do something beneficial while in a car, a plane, train, etc.? Tighten up your abs, as if you are getting ready to be punched by someone right in your gut. Don't tighten to the point where you can't breathe. Now hold it for the entire length of a song that is playing on the radio or ipod. Hopefully you are not listening to FreeBird by Lynard Skynard at this moment. Do it for one song, take a break on the next song and then repeat.
4) HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
Here is the moment most cave in. Between the appetizers, candy, the main course, and dessert where do we stop. Before you leave your house to get to the gathering eat something healthy such as yogurt, salad, fruit, carrot or celery sticks. Try to fill yourself so you won't eat those enticing appetizers. Drink a lot of water. This will keep you feeling full also.
By the time the main course makes it's way to the dinner table you sould be feeling a little more hungery, if you avoided the appetizers. If there is a salad plate at your dinner setting, take that and place it on top of your dinner plate. Use this smaller plate for your salad and main course. This will help control your portion size. When you put the turkey on the plate try to avoid eating the skin pieces. Use your regular spoon to put gravy on the potatoes instead of the ladle. This will keep you from putting on too much.
Dessert is easy. Avoiding it is almost impossible. Offer to split a small piece with another family member. This gives you enough to kill the craving and keeps you from overeating and feeling guilty later.
5) WALK
About 30 minutes after dinner grab a couple of family members and tell them let's go for a walk to catch up on everything. I am sure everyone is not going to join you on this escapade. However, the ones that will go will enjoy getting out of the crowded house and you may even start a new tradition. Go even if it is cold; that is what jackets and gloves are for. Keep your mindset.