6 Tips to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain
The holidays are fast approaching and with that yummy temptations galore! The good news is, even if you are watching your weight, that doesn’t mean that you have to skip out on all the delicious fun.
How to Maintain Your Weight Over the Holidays
Try these simple tips to maintain your weight over the holidays:
- Ruin your appetite before a big party. Grab a handful of nuts, an ounce of cheese, or a small apple with peanut butter before your next holiday party. These protein and carbohydrate-rich snacks will take the edge off your hunger and keep you from diving headfirst into the buffet.
- Don’t skip meals. “Saving” calories doesn’t work. You’ll just end up feeling tired and may overeat your at your next meal.
- Keep tempting treats out of sight. The old saying is true: out of sight = out of mind. Keep cakes, cookies, and other treats in opaque containers. Without the visual cue, you’re less likely to want.
- Beware of bloating beverages. Pumpkin spice lattes, eggnog, mint chocolate chip milkshakes, and caramel apple cider are hot items at every doughnut shop, coffee house, and fast food restaurant in sight. These limited-time offers are tempting but often pack a serious calorie punch. It’s OK to indulge occasionally but beware – that peppermint chocolate chip milkshake can run as much as 900 calories a pop!
- Sleep. Work demands, travel, and a full social calendar can wreak havoc on your body. Stress and a lack of sleep can create a recipe for weight gain. Never underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. Aim for 7-8 hours of shuteye each night.
- Do stay active, but don’t use it as an excuse to eat double portions. The “I ran an extra mile so I can have an extra piece of the pie” reasoning often results in added weight gain. That’s because most of us overestimate how many calories we burn and underestimate how many we consume. Getting in your regular workouts though will help compensate for those small holiday nibbles you just can’t pass up.
