I love the holidays! But if
you’re trying to lose weight, all the sweet, carb-filled holiday treats can
sometimes add stress to your celebrations. In this blog, I’m going to share
with you how to enjoy all the delights of the season while still staying true
to your weight-loss goals.
First, remember that
there’s no better time of year to remind yourself of why you want to lose
weight in the first place. Your friends and family care about you and want you
to succeed. They want you to be happy, healthy, and on your way to becoming the
person you want to be in 2018!
Also, seeing your loved
ones at these gatherings is a great reminder that the holidays are about so
much more than the food. Those delicious dishes and desserts are just tokens of
the love you share among the most important people in your life. When you focus
on what really matters, it’s not so hard to let a treat or two pass you by.
In fact, there’s no reason
you can’t successfully lose weight (or at least maintain your weight)
during the holidays. But it helps to have the right mindset — and a plan —
for getting through holiday meals and parties keeping your weight-loss goals
intact.
6 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain:
1. Eat a filling breakfast and lunch
Don’t starve yourself before
the big meal! You may think you’re “saving up calories,” but the hungrier you
are when you arrive, the more likely you are to make poor food choices and wind
up eating more than you might have otherwise. Start the day with a healthy,
satisfying breakfast and a reasonable lunch, so you won’t be ravenous by the
time the holiday meal is served.
2. Avoid “grazing” before and after the meal
Whatever time your family
typically sits down at the table to eat (our holiday mealtime is
around 4pm) — hors d’oeuvres, snacks, cocktails, and even desserts are often
passed around before and after the meal for guests to “graze” on. To avoid
overindulging, I set the time when I plan to start eating, as well as the time
when I will stop. Then, once I get up and leave the table, I move on to other
activities, such as reminiscing with grandma or playing with the kids. Just
like I tell my clients — “Dinner and done… find other fun!”
3. Prioritize your treats
We all look forward to
treating ourselves during the holidays, but all those temptations can quickly
become overwhelming! When I’m at a holiday party, I scan the entire table of
food first, and then choose the two or three that I want the most — the ones
that are most likely to make the night feel extra-special. Then, I take my time
and savor each bite!
4. How do you want to feel as you’re leaving?
Before even arriving at the
party (and perhaps once again before taking your first bite), imagine how you
want to feel when it’s time to leave. Stuffed like a turkey? Or happy,
satisfied, and proud of yourself for keeping your goals on track? You’ll be
amazed at how powerful this mental exercise can be in allowing you to enjoy the
gathering to the fullest without overindulging.
5. Be active
Try building a healthy
activity into your day, whether it’s a hike or a neighborhood game of touch
football. Last year, my family and I laced up our hiking boots and hit the
trail before dinner! If you’re giving gifts, think about toys and games that
promote an active lifestyle. If you’re too old for toys (is anyone too
old for toys?), then get out there and play with your kids, grandkids, nieces,
nephews, or even your pet.
6. Incorporate healthy food swaps
If I’m hosting the party —
or even contributing a dish for the table — I like to share
traditional dishes made using healthy food swaps designed to be every bit as
filling and delicious as the originals. Greek yogurt makes a creamy stand-in
for mayo in dressings and pasta salads. Mashed cauliflower rather than potatoes
for a healthy swap that still tastes delicious (for the skeptics, try
half-and-half cauliflower and potatoes).
“Noodles” made with veggies are
another big hit in our house. And for dessert, I serve cinnamon-spiced baked
apples, either by themselves or topped with a little dollop of whipped cream,
to satisfy apple-pie cravings.
Most of all, be sure to
stay positive! If things don’t go exactly as planned, don’t beat yourself up.
Just stay focused on your goal and the weight loss will follow. There are
plenty of weight-loss days ahead in 2018!
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