by Doreen Martel

Created on: December 30, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2009

Everyone is wondering what is the most effective way to lose weight.  It does not seem to matter if we are short or tall, it seems like every year, we are trying to shed holiday pounds.  However, dieting isn't a one size fits all proposition. The fact of the matter is that almost all of us will put on upwards of five (5) pounds over the holidays - this is typically the result of more get-togethers with friends, co-workers and family - it's almost inevitable.

If you are preparing to fight with losing those holiday pounds, do not to fall prey to the ads you're seeing all over television for "quick fix" drugs, juices or diets. No amount of drugging or starving yourself is going to help you lose weight in a meaningful, sustainable way.

A) Control your eating - Although this might seem pretty nearly everyone can attest that it is not that easy. Do yourself a favor - post a white board or other reusable board in your kitchen. Every time you take something out of the cupboard or the refrigerator mark it down on your white board. At the end of the day take your list and check out the caloric intake of everything you ate for that day!

You may find that you are eating far more than you realize! Keeping a food diary (of some sort) can help you identify your trigger points as well. Chances are you may be able to skip something that is adding useless calories without feeling hungry.

B) Don't skip breakfast - You may that if you're trying to control your eating that skipping a meal is one of the most effective ways to help you curb your food intake right? Time and time again, the notion that skipping breakfast helps you lose weight has been proven wrong. Skipping breakfast typically will result in a crash in your already low blood sugar (since you haven't eaten in at least 8 hours) and you're going to (1) eat something you don't want just to put something in your stomach (2) eat more than you really need.

C) Drink water - Drinking water helps you feel full (and is really good for you in other ways) so you will want to eat less. Plan on at least 4-eight ounce glasses of water daily. If you find this difficult try 8 four ounce glasses (which for many can be more palatable).

D) Exercise - Don't overlook the simplicity of exercise - you don't need to run a marathon every day to help you maintain a slim, trim figure. Get out of the house and go for a walk - even around the block. If need be do it two or three times a day. Short walks can not only help you feel better but they'll also help you keep those extra holiday pounds off.

E) Simple things - If you drink coffee or tea with sugar and cream, consider switching to a sugar substitute with lower (or no) calories and a non-dairy creamer with low fat and cholesterol. This can be a major factor for those who have a multiple cup per day habit!

Another common culprit to losing weight is soft drinks.   You'd be amazed at how quickly the calories mount up when you're drinking soft drinks (including tonic water). While sugar free soft drinks can help your waistline, be sure to check for sodium content which could cause water retention. Retaining fluids can add a few extra pounds.

Summary

Losing a few pounds is much harder than putting them on.  While the threat of gaining a few extra holiday pounds does not always curb our desire to eat, using common sense we can avoid putting on too much weight.  Using these tips in conjunction with a sensible diet can help you lose those extra holiday pounds. Before you let the holiday battle of the bulge result in pounds that keep adding up, learn how to shed your holiday pounds.

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