holiday weight loss - 15 TIPS FOR HOLIDAY WEIGHT LOSS
In most cases, the majority of the party-going people won't be concerned
with watching their weight, so they are less inclined to bring
healthier versions of their best recipes. Then it becomes our own burden
to stick with our diets or to watch what we eat as the food choices are
always so tempting!
The following 15 holiday eating tips are here to help you when going to
holiday parties to better watch your weight by giving you some great
ideas.
1. Stop Eating When You Feel Full. This is something most people won’t,
or don't, do. Especially those that are in the 'clean plate' club and
don't like to leave extra or left over food on their plates. Honestly,
there is absolutely no shame in leaving that extra portion of food on
your plate. When your tummy feels full, just push yourself away from the
table and say "No More For Me Thanks!”
2. Take A Few Extra or Longer Walks. Walking is a terrific form of
exercise, and can be a great cardiovascular work out in colder
temperatures. Especially when there is a nice layer of snow on the
ground. Next time you go to let your dog out to do their bathroom
'business', why not slip on your coat and shoes, grab their leash and
take them for a walk around the block, or down a few blocks. Fido will
love you for it and you will be making yourself a healthier 'you' by
doing it as well.
3. Don't Count Calories Incessantly. This is unnecessary and will drive
your loved ones crazy and yourself too. Let's face it; there are enough
stressors around the Holidays to worry about. Gaining an extra few
pounds should be the least of your troubles! The best thing you can do
if you are already dieting is to watch not what you eat, but how much of
it you are eating instead of trying to keep track of your caloric
intake. Unless of course you are on a strict diet and need to avoid
things that contain higher carbohydrates, sugars, etc. In this case, you
would obviously want to avoid eating things like potatoes, breads,
cookies, candies, cakes, etc.
4. Use Reduced Fat, Sugar Substitutes, or Fat Free Ingredients in Your
Recipes. Lots of people complain that fat-free or reduced fat
ingredients change the flavor of their favorite recipes, and not in a
good way. But, in all reality, there is barely a hint of difference in
flavor. In fact, if one did not have the knowledge that normal
ingredients such as sour cream had been replaced with a fat-free or
reduced fat substitute, you would never hear a peep about the taste.
When replacing sugar such as pure cane sugar with a substitute such as
Splenda, Equal, or the like, you may notice a taste difference. So, in
this case, if you have picky family members, simply make two versions of
the same dessert or snacks and let your family opt for their own
choice.
5. Eat One Big Meal Instead Of Continuous Snacking Or Smaller Meals.
Opinions will vary on this one, but whether you're eating a bigger meal
once, or several smaller meals throughout the day, the amount of food
you are taking in is just about the same at any rate. The difference in
eating a big meal once is that you will be completely full, or have the
full 'feeling' so you won't be hungry as much. And DO NOT think you can
have your 3 square meals a day and then add a couple of more to the mix.
That will most definitely pack on the unwanted pounds. Remember to
always eat in moderation and keep in mind the full feeling. When you are
getting full, STOP EATING!
holiday weight loss - 15 TIPS FOR HOLIDAY WEIGHT LOSS
6. Know Your Eating Boundaries And Don't Cross Them. This tip is
especially important if you are already dieting or trying to lose
weight. You know better than Aunt Betty what you can eat. Even though
her home-made pound cake might taste wonderful, you may want to not opt
for seconds if you are on a strict diet. Many people like to splurge
around the holiday season, but it's all a matter of will power really.
If you just can't help yourself and must have some of Uncle Fred's
ambrosia salad, then take a smaller than normal portion of it.
7. Go For The Healthy Food Choices. Almost every family unit has at
least one 'health nut' within its midst. If there are healthy food
choices available, then eat more of the plain fruits and vegetables
instead of the pies cakes and cookies in the holiday 'spread'. Remember
too that extra dips can help pack onthe pounds. Don't be afraid to ask
what the dips are made from so you can make a more informed judgment on
whether or not you can enjoy them. Also, you can always bring healthier
food dips for fruits and veggies with you such as yogurt or reduced
calorie veggie dips that are sold at most major grocery stores before
the big get-together.
8. Eat In Moderation With Smaller Portions. As discussed earlier, take
smaller portions of all those calorie packed goodies. This way, you can
still partake of all the wonderful eats without packing on all the extra
pounds that go along with all those goodies. And remember too to
balance out the bad foods, or those that are packed with sugars and
carbohydrates, with good foods such as plain fruits and vegetables.
9. Drink In Moderation. No, this is not an advertisement for drinking
and driving, even though you should always have a designated driver if
you plan on drinking more than the legal limit of course, or anything at
all due to cold, icy, roads. Rather, many holiday drinks are packed
with extra sugars, so watch how much of the good old egg nog you drink.
This goes for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Water is
always a great choice, or non-sweetened tea or coffee. There too, is
also diet soda pop if you are a soda drinker.
10. Substitute Whole Grains In Lieu of Higher Carbohydrate Filled
Grains. Try to steer clear of white breads, sugary cakes, potatoes,
cookies, or anything else that you believe to have a high carbohydrate
count. These can put a lot of weight on you quickly and is why many
diets try to steer clear of these carb laden monoliths. Go for the whole
wheat, multi-grain, sugar substitute holiday food choices. Sure, it's
not the same as loading up on all the 'bad-for-you' foods, but you'll be
glad you did when January rolls around.
11. No Eating After 7p.m. This can be extremely difficult to do.
Especially when most holiday get togethers happen after 7 o'clock! If
this is the case, then you should eat before you go to the holiday bash.
Most foods are not properly burned off if eaten after 7 o'clock p.m.
So, it's best if you eat long before this time rolls around. However,
you can eat something healthy such as fruits or vegetables minus the
fatty dips if you really need to snack on something.
12. Drink More Liquids Than Eating. Drinking more liquids will fool your
body into believing it is full. Therefore, you can drink lots of water,
unsweetened tea or coffee, diet sodas, low calorie fruit smoothies or
soft drinks (noncarbonated), etc. without feeling the guilt of over
eating. Stay away from higher sweetened drinks as this will defeat the
purpose of watching your weight.
13. Eat Something Before You Go Grocery Shopping. Actually, you should
eat something before you do any out of the house, or in house for that
matter, activity that will burn calories. But, the main reason for going
grocery shopping on a full stomach is that you will be less inclined to
purchase all those fattening junk foods because you are not hungry so
you aren't tempted by those types of food choices. You will be able to
stay on track and only purchase those things you need from the grocery
store instead of packing your cart with weight packing foods!
14. Plan an Out-Door Activity. Depending on the region you live it,
whether the weather is warmer or colder, plan on doing something
outdoors. This can be something you do by yourself, with family, or
friends that doesn't involve any eating. Things like cutting down your
own Christmas Tree, shopping for gifts, either last minute or not,
walking through the park (you may want to do this with someone or a
group of someone’s for safety reasons), going sledding, skiing, skating,
playing some backyard football, collecting pine cones and creating some
simple bird feeders with bird seed and peanut butter, and any other
activities you can think up. Try to do one thing each week to replace a
day of exercise or work out that you would normally do to keep things
interesting and everyone in the holiday spirit!
15. No Healthy Food Choices? Bring Some! Cutting up vegetables or fruits
to create a holiday health tray can be a nice 'change of pace' for your
friends or family. Why not try brining some healthy holiday cheer at
your next get together. Chances are someone else in your extended
friends or family network are trying to watch their wastes too and would
appreciate having a healthier-than-normal food choice. Even if that
isn't the case, you are still saving yourself tons of work out time
later once all those extra caloric fatty foods are attaching themselves
to your waistline.
Of course there are always more things you can do to watch your weight
year round. Try incorporating some of those things during the holidays
as well since we all tend to eat a bit more and make less than savory
choices to keep ourselves healthy, fit, and trim. Take the ideas in the
tips above and fit them in to your lifestyle by changing them up a bit.
Remember being healthy is a lifestyle in and of itself and should be
practiced year round. It's especially important not to slack off around
the holiday season when most of the unhealthy food choices are abundant.
I do hope the ideas listed above have helped you realize that you can
watch your weight and still have a wonderful time at holiday gatherings
without making a 'Santa's Helper' out of yourself :-).
holiday weight loss - 15 TIPS FOR HOLIDAY WEIGHT LOSS