How To Avoid Weight Gain During The Holidays

The holidays can be a time for get-togethers with family and friends. Even though it may be the time for sharing fond memories, it is also the time when you are exposed to lavish buffet spreads, which can cause havoc to your self control. Let's face it, losing pounds is difficult. And with Thanksgiving and Christmas only weeks apart, it can be hard to avoid gaining weight.

No matter how hard your resolve on how to resist temptation, it can be challenging not to give in if you are exposed to all the food during the holidays. According to studies, Americans probably gain around a pound or two through the holidays. Though this may not sound like a lot, studies have shown that those who are unable to burn this weight throughout the year. With the additional pounds each year, it can lead to obesity and other related health disorders later in life.

Families have well loved recipes and these dishes are normally prepared during the holidays. This year, prepare the foods with a healthier approach. An example is by substituting some ingredients so that the calories don't pile up. Try to use broth instead of butter, nonfat milk instead of full milk, and nonfat yogurt rather than cream. By doing so, you are able to avoid consuming loads of calories. Likewise, try to steer clear of food additions like whipped cream, cheese, cream sauces, gravy and butter simply because it can add more calories without doing much to the dish.

Individuals, who try to avoid weight increase throughout the holidays, may have the wrong notion that skipping meals can help. However, skipping meals can only encourage overeating. Try to eat sensibly all through the day, and choose wholesome portions for your meals. Try to avoid appetizers because although it has small portions, it can be loaded in fat and calories. If you really like turkey, go ahead and indulge. Just try to avoid eating turkey skin because it is high in saturated fat. Dark meat can be flavorful, but it also has a lot more fat as compared to white meat. Go for healthier options like turkey breast without the skin, and skip the gravy.

Buffet tables may be prepared at most parties that you attend. This could all the more encourage overeating. In order not to indulge in a caloric overload, try to be picky with the foods that you eat. Choose the food items that you don't usually eat throughout the year, and skip the common dishes. Also try to choose the healthiest dishes in the buffet table, which may be fulfilling but much less fattening. Avoid sampling everything on the buffet table simply because you'll end up ingesting a lot more calories than intended.

Throughout this holiday season, alcoholic drinks will often be readily available. It is possible to quickly lose track of the alcoholic beverage that you are taking in if you sip mindlessly, while sharing fond memories with your loved ones. In order not to overindulge, try to drink another beverage like drinking water or seltzer after you finish a shot. Alcoholic drinks consist of many calories and it is then best to limit alcohol intake.

Try to look good during the holiday season. Exert an effort in dressing up so that you could also be conscious in maintaining your figure. If you suit up with figure flattering clothes, there is a tendency that you will not eat too much simply because you may want to conceal some parts of your body which you are unhappy about. Socializing throughout the holidays can also indicate more parties with food. Learn how to politely decline if you are offered more food when you are satisfied. Try to eat slowly as well because it normally requires time for your stomach to signal the brain that you are already full.

With busy schedules, it can be quite easy to pass on exercising. Having said that, it is actually the time when you need to religiously stay to your physical exercise routine. You can also try to burn off more calories with all the holiday preparations that need to be performed. While shopping, take more time to walk around the mall even if you are done shopping. You can also schedule a fun physical activity for the whole family like ice skating or skiing.

Many of us look forward to the holidays for many reasons. Although it takes place once a year, it is still important that we take care of our wellbeing. This will entail much more fruitful years to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, without having to be troubled about heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and other related diseases.


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