Holidays are an occasion for spending quality time with family, catching up with old friends, and celebrating traditions! They are also most people’s waistline’s favorite expanding time of year. However, one does not have to fret the repercussions of fallen temptation. Start practicing these healthy tips and tricks to keep the holiday weight gain to a minimum this year!
1. Water
Drink up! Water can help suppress your appetite, and keeps fluids in your body balanced! Not to mention it’s caloric intake when compared to the Christmas punch is unrivaled. Water first, sugary, alcoholic beverage second; continue to switch the beverages on and off and you won't be drinking your calories while preventing yourself from ending up face first in the punch bowl again.
2. Be Active
This is the most obvious one, but most feared during a time of relaxation. It’s understandable that not everyone is going to hit up the gym for leg day while on vacation. However, ask grandma to go on a walk and catch up, pre-pie demolition. You'll be the affirmed favorite grandchild and a little less full after dinner! It will get your metabolism going and is a great excuse to have some one on one with a family member!
3. Mindful Eating
Footballs on? Put the veggie tray in front of you and not the buffalo chicken dip. Leave anything fried or "rolled in a blanket" on the counter. It is easy to mindlessly eat while watching the game or your family’s favorite movie! Mindlessly eating is a great way to consume the calories of dinner while prolonging your final feeling of satiety.
4. Indulge
This is not a trap. Being healthy during the holidays does not mean you have to get rid of ALL the good stuff! Treat yourself, but make it count. Eat pie in the morning, you will work off the calories and use up the sugar throughout the day! Also, don’t tell yourself not to eat your favorite holiday meal, instead, be mindful of the number of helpings as well as serving size. If you are a mashed potato fiend, before you go for a second helping, eat all of your veggies first.
5. Skip the Sauce
The reason why we love to over-load sauce is the same reason why our body hates it. Most sauces are full of sugar, sodium, and fat which are the three things your body should have in low quantities. If you can’t get them off your plate completely, try to choose between your two favorites and just have one!
6. Get Out of the House
There are many fun things to do during holiday season that can keep you moving and active! Walk through neighborhoods to see twinkle lights, cut down a christmas tree, have a snowball fight.
Weight gain doesn’t have to be a part of your holiday tradition! Making a few small health-conscious decisions can make your time of relaxation and “vegging” a little healthier than last year.
