By Leslee Jaquette
Last night I went to an early Thanksgiving potluck and you know what that means! I made an absolute pig of myself, loading up on all the goodies and three chocolate desserts!
After this pre-holiday binge, I have already gained the proverbial one to five pounds many people gain (and never lose) as a result of the season’s festivities!
Now that I have got one big, fat overdose under my belt, I’m going to try to back-off and simply maintain my weight. There’s no use going cranky and being a humbug Scrooge by attempting to diet – that’s just wrong.
I want to have fun and enjoy some special holiday treats, but I can still take some steps to keep the shape I had before I put on the feedbag last night. Right?!
How to Avoid Weight Gain over the Holidays
Step 1
Set the achievable goal of simply maintaining your current weight, and consider yourself a success if you make it to January without any extra pounds. Holiday weight gain, while averaging only 1 pound overall, is as much as 5 pounds for those already overweight or obese.
Step 2
Navigate holiday meals wisely. Have a high-protein snack ahead of time; for example, beef jerky has surprisingly few calories, but packs in the protein, which will help you feel full. Or, choose cottage cheese and fruit; either way, you will eat less at the dinner or buffet table.
Step 3
Save the best for last. Keeping fit doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of holiday goodies; rather, save them for last. Eat the salads, fruits and vegetables first, with low-fat dressings and dips; you will be less likely to binge later on the sweets.
Step 4
Cut back on what you eat at the holiday meal itself to save calories. If you’re going to have pumpkin pie after dinner, skip the mashed potatoes and gravy instead of the lunchtime sandwich.
Step 5
When you succeed in fitting your workout pamper yourself as congratulations. Take an extra-long shower. Watch your favorite show on the DVR or curl up in bed with a good book. In all of the holiday commotion, remember to take care of yourself, too.
Step 6
Stay active. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Don’t drive if you can walk. Step up the pace while you’re shopping for gifts, and stroll around the block after dinner, or even before.
Step 7
Exercise early in the day, when you are more likely to be motivated. If you’ve already burned some calories, you will feel less guilty when you plop down on the couch with a sugar cookie after a long day of holiday hustle and bustle.
How do you maintain during the holidays?
