Tips On Avoiding The Holiday Weight Gain

- Don't wear elastic pants - especially at holiday parties. This will encourage overconsumption.

- Partner up with a date or a friend at holiday parties. Keep an eye on each other as to not overconsume or eat foods that you normally would not eat.

- Chew sugar-free gum or mints at all get-togethers so you won't overeat.

- Make the holidays about family, friends and rekindling friendships. Keep in mind what the holidays are all about: focus on the camaraderie with the folks you love - not on gorging yourself.

- Limit or avoid alcohol. Consumption of alcohol will lower inhibitions, lower your metabolic rate and cloud your judgment - all of which will likely result in excess eating.

- Don't miss workouts during the holiday season. Ultimately, schedule some extra workouts during these weeks.

- Work out ON the holidays. Celebrate the days with activity and movement. Don't be sedentary.

- Get at least 8-9 hours of restful sleep nightly. Sleep deprivation will cause cravings for excess sugar and starch. During these days you want to avoid cravings, since you will be encountering a lot more of these types of foods at parties and get-togethers.

- Position yourself away from the food at holiday parties.

- Eat BEFORE you go to parties, so you won't be hungry. And be sure not to skip meals during these weeks as this will also encourage overconsumption.

- If it's a potluck, bring something that you can eat.

- Eat sitting down, and eat slowly.

- Make a deal with yourself: I will not overconsume or eat foods that don't meet my standards for optimum health during the holiday season. Always set standards high for the "fuel" that you put in your body!

- Take one day, one holiday party at a time. If you happen to overindulge (which you won't!) once, then let that be and move on to the next day. Then regain your momentum for optimum choices.

- And keep in mind: it's all about choices. Make the right choices so you don't fall behind and have to play catch-up in January.

Comments

[Steverino]

If I see someone at any holiday party obsessively chewing gum or claiming "Sorry, I already ate" I will point and laugh at them.

[Iago]

Don't over indulge on food
Avoid alcohol
Eat before a party so not to eat the good food at the party
Take a partner so you'll have someone to nag you and you'll have someone to nag

Ugh! There goes the holiday. What do you think makes family & office get togethers easier to endure..food and booze.

The only advice I did like was for the extra sleep and extra workouts, which is an excellent use of free time over the holidays.

[charlot]

Are you kidding??? We live in a society that encourages unchecked consumption and downright gluttony on a daily basis! And you expect people to cut down during the one time of year when most people have traditionally let the diet slide?
I try to watch what I eat (to an extent) during the rest of the year; I'm certainly not going to pass up the goodies during the holidays, even if I have to walk a few blocks more right afterward!
And that thing about avoiding alcohol during the holidays.....that's rich!

[FirstBlowupDollLaura]

Focus on the people and the conversation - not the food. Isn't that why you're really there?

[TheBurritoAssassin]

and if you over eat, don't worry, just purge!

[Newfycrat]

Here's the best tip for me, eat *meat protein* before you eat anything else. Meat protein sets off a chemical in your stomach that goes to your brain within a few minutes telling it "food has arrived".
This is compared to eating carbohydrates, which do not give your brain the food signal until insulin gets there - up to 40 minutes after you start eating.
That is why someone can sit down and eat a whole bag of potato chips before feeling full, but might eat only 6 oz of steak.
Eat some meat.
Especially good is jerky in the afternoon. I always have some turkey jerky around for afternoon hunger attacks.

[Hattie]

Fun lover!