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Writer's pictureJessica Gerlock

Tips to Avoid Gaining Weight Over the Holidays

Updated: Dec 3, 2019


With the holiday season fast approaching and all the holiday parties you have to attend, it is very easy to fall off track in your weight loss journey during this time. Being social is important and your weight loss goals should not stop you from enjoying yourself. During this time it is very important to just be extra mindful of your healthy lifestyle choices. Here are some tips to get you through the holiday season without ruining your weight loss progress:


Stay Active


During the holidays is a great time to stay active and keep moving. With all the eating we do at family dinners, holiday parties and all the other festivities, we have to work out to burn off some of these extra calories. During the next month, is a great time to join a gym or hire a Certified Personal Trainer to keep you on track. Get a head start on your New Year resolutions and don’t wait until January 1st.


Watch Portion Sizes


With all the holiday festivities, it is very hard eat healthy. We might not be making the best food choices but we can watch our portion sizes. An easy trick to remember this is only stick to one plate. Even if it is a buffet, sticking to one plate will help you avoid overeating. Make sure to include a vegetable, a protein and a carb to give you a balanced meal. During the holidays it is very easy to overeat and make the wrong choices so being aware of the portions you are consuming is very important to not gaining extra weight.


Limit Dessert Intake


The cakes, cookies, and jelly doughnuts are flowing more than usual during the holiday season so it is hard to avoid being presented with your favourite sweets. If you have the willpower to choose nothing or fruit for dessert then kudos to you, but it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation. If there is a treat that is your absolute favourite, then have a small portion of it and move on. If you are looking to keep up your weight loss goals you don’t have to taste test every dessert on the dessert table. Be mindful and don’t overdo it.


Limit Liquid Calories


It is very easy to get carried away with all the tempting food and drinks during the holiday season. Many adults consume alcoholic beverages during the holiday season with the mindset that the liquid calories just don’t count. I wish that was true but that is just not the case. Most alcoholic beverages are loaded with carbohydrates (a.k.a sugar.) Be mindful. It does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Enjoy yourself and practice moderation.


Plan Ahead


If you know you are going to eat poorly at a holiday dinner or holiday party than plan ahead and eat well before and after. You won’t have to completely fall off the horse by enjoying yourself one evening. Try having a nutritious snack beforehand and not going to a party starving. That will help control temptation. Try to know what will be served and if you can make healthier choices. It never hurts to be too prepared.


During this time it is most important to spend time with loved ones and celebrate good times. Just be mindful and try to make healthier choices to avoid the number on the scale going up. Have a safe, fun, and healthy holiday season. If you fall off the horse don’t beat yourself up. Just get right back on. That’s life.


Happy Holidays!

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