Controlling your weight during upcoming holidays is possible. Be smart by planning ahead, and avoid holiday weight gain with these simple holiday weight loss tips.
Here are some strategies for weight control during the holidays from Taste for Life magazine:
“Don’t deny yourself favorite dishes over the holidays, but do eat selectively. Start each day with fiber-rich whole grains to keep you feeling satisfied all morning.
If you’ll be enjoying a holiday dinner, eat a light brunch of soup or salad. All day long, drink plenty of pure water, and never arrive at festivities on an empty stomach.
Before you party, snack on low-fat yogurt [watch for added sugar] or fruit. At buffets, fill your plate with two-thirds vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains, and one-third lean protein.
Eat enough, and keep moving. Hunger and activity level – too much of the first, too little of the second – are most likely to cause holiday weight gain. Staying active not only maintains a healthy weight but also helps you handle holiday stress, sleep better, and have more energy.
Plan holiday get-together around activities: an ice-skating party of a brisk walk to see holiday decorations.”
What else can you do? Recent research shows, that if you eat slowly you will eat less food. Burn off the calories by engaging your family in family-friendly exercises.
Write your shopping list when you are not hungry, and go grocery shopping on a full stomach. That way you will not be tempted to buy extra goodies.
Stop eating when you leave the table. Do not attack the leftovers while clearing the plates.
Use a smaller dinner plate than usual to make your portion look larger.
Cut back a little on high-calorie snacks. Have some fruit instead. If you have to buy them for the rest of your family, store them out of sight.