Some people have come to dread the holidays. It’s not due to excessive cheer, gifts, or carols. But rather calorie consumption. The holidays seem to be dripping with fat, cream, and a little sugar on top. So what can you do to avoid packing on the pounds this season, and still allowing yourself to have a merry old time? Good question, here are your answers.
Allow a Few Treats
Do NOT deprive yourself of every little indulgence, rather enjoy in moderation. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they try to give something up is to quit cold turkey. While quitting cold turkey may work with certain addictions, it is not meant for diets. This is only a recipe for failure, if you continually deprive yourself of all that you love, you will eventually cave in and possibly make up for all that you have missed out on, all in one sitting.
Balanced Meals
It is easy to sugar/carbo load during the holidays, so you must make sure to eat balanced meals. Sure - the rolls, mashed potatoes and the pasta salad all look good, but you should really only choose one or two small helpings and load up on veggies instead. Make a plan for what you know should be on your plate, and stick to it.
Alcohol Intake
Limit the amount of alcohol you have during the holidays. Not only does it turn into sugar in your body, but in some drinks as many as 500 calories can be found. A glass of wine is always a safe choice, while you may want skip the margarita.
Holiday Workout
It is important to maintain a workout schedule during the holidays. Not only will you burn calories, but you will melt away the stress of the holidays, and have more energy for all the holiday cheer. Even doing something as small as going on a walk, can increase your metabolism and you energy.
While it often feels that 10 pounds suddenly appear on your middle, hips, and thighs during the holidays; according to an article published Tara Parker-Pope in the New York Times on November 22, 2007 titled, The Skinny on Holiday Weight Gain, “several studies now show that the average weight gain during the winter holidays is just one pound.” They also report that people often do not lose the weight they gain during the holidays, so while your holiday splurges may not add up to much, in the long run they certainly will.
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