It's that time of year again where we travel from one gathering to another. The food is good and the eggnog is even better. If you've been good all year and have kept your weight under control, you may feel slight anxiety as you approach this holiday season. No need to fear because in a few moments you'll uncover the top 10 ways to maintain your weight and in some cases loose weight even while still eating holiday treats.
10) If you are planning on eating a few foods that may not be on the health menu at your local fitness club, you may think about drinking a glass of water before you eat. Being properly hydrated will immediately cut your appetite in half and boost your energy levels.
9) Snack at home first, and then attend the holiday party. Listen, its okay to eat a piece of pie. My thought is this however, why not do an even trade. If you know you have a weakness for pie and you'll be attending an event where pie will be served, how about eating a healthy snack before you go.
8) Get a little of a lot. At many holiday functions there is more food in more varieties that you can shake a stick at. What trips many people up are that they feel they have to have a full plate of these goodies and then another full plate of those goodies. That is not the case. Rather than getting more of a little, why not get a little of a lot. This way you'll get to sample everything but your waistline will not expand.
7) Don't skip meals, when you get busy it is easy to skip breakfast or lunch because you know you will be having a big dinner later. Save yourself the calories and eat normal meals all day long.
6) Consider a new holiday dish. Why stick with the same old stuff? Think outside of the box and come up with a few healthy holiday treats. Search that old dusty cookbook and you'll find a few great ideas that will prove to be just as satisfying as those sugary treats.
5) Get active. Don't see this time of year as a time to rest, relax and take it easy. No, you should take the opportunity you have with your family to get in some good physical activity. Let me ask you, when is the last time you took your kids ice skating or sledding? If it doesn't snow where you are, why not take the kids to the park or on a paddle boat ride.
4) Keep up the good work. If you are like most people, you will use the free time you have during this time of year to rest and cut back when in reality that is the worst thing you could do. Don't be guilty of abandoning your workout routine for a life of leisure.
3) Take a strategy to dinner with you and not just an appetite. It is not too reasonable to believe that you can attend these holiday gatherings and not eat anything you like. With that in mind, why not develop a strategy beforehand of exactly what you will eat and how much of it you'll eat. As an example, if fruit cake is your adversary, why not have a piece but turn down the pumpkin pie.
2) Add resistance training to your day. We all know that muscle helps you burn more fat calories but many of us have not added a weight training routine to our healthy lifestyles. Now don't run out and get a fancy gym membership this year, but you can start doing a little extra. As an example, rather than getting the grocery store clerk to help you to your car with your 15 pound turkey, you might consider taking on that task yourself.
1) Let loose and hang out. While this is a time for family and friends to celebrate each other, it can also become a time when we get burned out from trying to be all things to all people. Take some time for yourself and breathe. This is your time to rest as well as serve.
Well, now you know how to maintain your weight even while attending holiday parties. Maybe you won't do all of these tips but how much better would you feel about yourself if you could do just 3 or 4 of the ten? - 16650
10) If you are planning on eating a few foods that may not be on the health menu at your local fitness club, you may think about drinking a glass of water before you eat. Being properly hydrated will immediately cut your appetite in half and boost your energy levels.
9) Snack at home first, and then attend the holiday party. Listen, its okay to eat a piece of pie. My thought is this however, why not do an even trade. If you know you have a weakness for pie and you'll be attending an event where pie will be served, how about eating a healthy snack before you go.
8) Get a little of a lot. At many holiday functions there is more food in more varieties that you can shake a stick at. What trips many people up are that they feel they have to have a full plate of these goodies and then another full plate of those goodies. That is not the case. Rather than getting more of a little, why not get a little of a lot. This way you'll get to sample everything but your waistline will not expand.
7) Don't skip meals, when you get busy it is easy to skip breakfast or lunch because you know you will be having a big dinner later. Save yourself the calories and eat normal meals all day long.
6) Consider a new holiday dish. Why stick with the same old stuff? Think outside of the box and come up with a few healthy holiday treats. Search that old dusty cookbook and you'll find a few great ideas that will prove to be just as satisfying as those sugary treats.
5) Get active. Don't see this time of year as a time to rest, relax and take it easy. No, you should take the opportunity you have with your family to get in some good physical activity. Let me ask you, when is the last time you took your kids ice skating or sledding? If it doesn't snow where you are, why not take the kids to the park or on a paddle boat ride.
4) Keep up the good work. If you are like most people, you will use the free time you have during this time of year to rest and cut back when in reality that is the worst thing you could do. Don't be guilty of abandoning your workout routine for a life of leisure.
3) Take a strategy to dinner with you and not just an appetite. It is not too reasonable to believe that you can attend these holiday gatherings and not eat anything you like. With that in mind, why not develop a strategy beforehand of exactly what you will eat and how much of it you'll eat. As an example, if fruit cake is your adversary, why not have a piece but turn down the pumpkin pie.
2) Add resistance training to your day. We all know that muscle helps you burn more fat calories but many of us have not added a weight training routine to our healthy lifestyles. Now don't run out and get a fancy gym membership this year, but you can start doing a little extra. As an example, rather than getting the grocery store clerk to help you to your car with your 15 pound turkey, you might consider taking on that task yourself.
1) Let loose and hang out. While this is a time for family and friends to celebrate each other, it can also become a time when we get burned out from trying to be all things to all people. Take some time for yourself and breathe. This is your time to rest as well as serve.
Well, now you know how to maintain your weight even while attending holiday parties. Maybe you won't do all of these tips but how much better would you feel about yourself if you could do just 3 or 4 of the ten? - 16650
About the Author:
Author Dorthy Weatherbush observes everyday famous people like Kristy Swanson of Knots Landing fame use this advice plus diet programs like Medifastto trim unwanted pounds. Read Dorthy's review of the Medifast Diet by visiting the site above.
