11 Surefire Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

avoid holiday weight gain
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11 Surefire Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

These holiday weight loss tips will allow you to eat what you want without affecting your waistline.

The holiday season is supposed to be the most exciting time of the year. You attend office holiday parties, and family get-together to share festive moments and lots of delicious food with your loved ones. Believe it or not, seasonal holidays can greatly contribute to your total annual weight gain as it encourages consumption of high-calorie foods such as sugar cookies, pecan pie, buttery mashed potatoes that you can’t resist eating. The trick is to indulge in moderation. By developing greater self-control, increasing your willpower, and curbing your appetite, you will be able to fend off holiday weight gain and easily fit in the smaller dress.

If you are finding it difficult to resist scrumptious temptations all around you, don’t worry. These holiday weight loss tips can keep the extra pounds off without sacrificing fun.

1. Snack Wisely

If you are thinking about skipping lunch or evening snacks to prevent you from gaining extra pounds, then you will be making a big mistake. During the holiday season when high-calorie snacks are easy to access, preventing yourself from unnecessary snacking is a bit trickier. If you are snacking just because there is a variety of appetizers around, not because you are feeling hungry, it is best to avoid them at all. Before going to a Thanksgiving party or Christmas dinner, have some protein-rich, fiber-packed snacks such as fruits, nuts, vegetables and nuts that don’t contain unhealthy fats and extra calories. When you arrive at the party, you won’t be craving for party hors d’oeuvres. This way, you can prevent yourself from making unhealthy food choices and avoid holiday weight gain.

2. Pick the Dish You Can’t Live Without

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A study suggests that people can’t be able to figure out how much they eat when they are provided with a variety of menu items. Before you start eating, carefully check the entire menu to figure out some healthy food options. Instead of tasting each and every menu item, restrict yourself for a few food choices to avoid overeating. You can go for traditional Thanksgiving recipes or holiday treats that you love and only get during the holiday season. Skip the rest of the unhealthy offerings, only go for healthy options that can keep you feeling for long.

3. Take Dainty Bites

Since it takes stomach almost 20 minutes to send signals to the brain that you are full, eat slowly to cut lots of calories. A study suggests that people who took bites about the size of a tablespoon ate more than those who took teaspoon size bites. Eating slowly and taking smaller bites can extend the amount of time you spend tasting the food, which will eventually make you feel satisfied with fewer calories.

4. Pop a Piece of Gum in Your Mouth

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Trust me; it is a golden rule to resist high-calorie foods. When you are preparing Thanksgiving dinner or cleaning up the kitchen after throwing a grand dessert Christmas party, taking those little bites of pumpkin pie can quickly add a lot of calories. Popping a piece of gum in your mouth is a great idea to save you from those extra calories that lead to weight gain.

5. Building Self Control

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For many, increasing self-control and controlling the risk of temptation can be challenging. Many people think that they have to eat all their favorite dishes because the holiday season comes once a year. If you can’t be able to avoid tempting holiday foods, then wait for the consequences. Just because your colleague brought in your famous snack doesn’t mean you need to it until you feel full. Before having your favorite snack, ask yourself how hungry you are and whether you really want it. If you can’t say no to those goodies, allow yourself one small serving of a dessert, cookie, or sugary snacks or save them for another day.

6. Control Portion Size

Photographer: Maria del RioEditorial and internal use approved. OK for Native and co-branded use.Photographer: Maria del RioInternal and Editorial use approved. OK for Native and Co-Branded use.If you really want to stay in shape and reduce your waist circumference, it is advised to control your portion size. Picking up a small plate and sticking with fruits, veggies and other healthy options can help you maintain a healthy weight. Limit your intake of cheesy mashed potatoes, butter crackers, chips, and other calorie-rich foods.

If you find it difficult to resist a deep-fried appetizer, then make sure to eat only one small serving. For dinner, fill your plate with herb stuffing, salad and a small portion of meat. Don’t overload your plate with cheesy, fattening foods at holiday parties. Eating larger portions can increase your chances of gaining weight more easily. By controlling portion size and using smaller plates, you can significantly control your weight.

7. Limit Your Dessert Intake

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I know it is not easy to avoid eating dessert, especially when you are a dessert lover. During the holiday season, you will find a number of scrumptious desserts everywhere. Eating them frequently can lead to excessive sugar consumption, which will eventually lead to weight gain. Instead of eating every dessert around you, focus on your favorites, and leave the rest.

8. Say No to Liquid Calories

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the holiday season, consumption of soda, alcohol, and other calorie-dense drinks are prevalent. These drinks can greatly increase your blood sugar levels and cause weight gain. If you are trying to control your weight during the holiday season, then stop consuming alcohol, sugary drinks and other high-calorie beverages that can cause weight gain.

9. Exercise More

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Exercise is a great way to burn calories that you put on during the holidays that are packed with food-oriented events. Regardless of the hectic routine of the shopping season, it is important to take some time to hit the treadmill, attend a cardio class, and go for a morning walk.

10. Get Better Sleep 

Image result for Sleep Well zzzzzWhen you are preparing a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for throwing a memorable party or finishing your Christmas shopping, you don’t have enough time to get the full recommended eight hours of sleep. If you really want to fit in your New Year’s dress, then set your sleeping routine and get plenty of sleep.

A study suggests that people who slept less than five hours have lower levels of leptin hormone that is responsible for stimulating the feeling of fullness than those who slept for eight hours. Inadequate sleep can increase your hunger hormone level ghrelin, which will ultimately lead to high-calorie intake. In addition, sleep deprivation can also lead to lower your metabolism that may cause alterations in your cardiac rhythm that regulate different bodily functions.

11. Come up with Some Healthy Dinner Ideas

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Believe it or not, calorie-rich dinners, appetizers, and snacks are a major cause of weight gain during the holiday season. Preparing some low-calorie, protein-rich recipes is an excellent idea to lose weight during the holidays. Here are some healthy, scrumptious and nutritious holiday dinner ideas that you can try this season:

  • Roast potatoes with paprika
  • Tangy chicory salad
  • Celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup
  • Parsnip gnocchi
  • Lemony Herb Roast Chicken
  • Chili-charred Brussels sprouts
  • Roasted Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
  • Stir-fried festive cabbage
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon & chestnuts
  • Crispy Beet and Mozzarella Salad
  • Lentil Bolognese Spaghetti
  • Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Chicken and Squash
  • Sorghum-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
  • Acorn Squash with Brown Rice and Turkey Sausage
  • Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
  • Thai Steak and Pear Salad

Over to You

Achieving your weight loss goals may seem difficult during the holiday season; however, following a healthy routine can help you enjoy the season to the fullest. With proper planning, willpower and a healthy diet, you can avoid holiday weight gain and celebrate good times with your family and friends.

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