The Christmas season is here again. This is your coveted time to forget about your worries and sorrows and rejoice with family and friends. Unfortunately, we tend to over-celebrate this time of year, and that over-celebration often comes in the form of food and drink. This all adds up to a little (sometimes a lot) of extra baggage come the New Year.
Let’s resolve this holiday season to buck the trends and avoid season seven (the average weight most of us will gain between Thanksgiving and New Years). Yes, it’s true that most people earn a lot during the holidays and I’m sure you don’t want to be a part of this statistic. Santa’s job prerequisites are being round and jolly, but I seriously doubt he’s a part of yours! Well, the lighthearted part is fine, you can keep that.
Moderation is the word of the season (at least when it comes to diet, don’t include me in the expense of your gifts!). It is the secret to achieving a fun but also healthy vacation. Try using this mantra in regards to what you eat (or don’t eat) and also how much exercise you get. This will help you avoid gaining weight AND also participate in all the fun this time of year. So start this season on a certain note now instead of starting in January with a lot of extra pounds to lose.
Here are ten tips to help you avoid shaking like a bowl full of jelly on January 1!
1. Don’t try to stick to an overly restrictive diet this holiday season. If you eat your favorite foods in smaller portions, you’ll feel more satisfied. Trying to stay away from certain foods can make you feel deprived, which can cause you to eat more than you intended.
2. Don’t let stress get you down, take time for yourself. While spending time with family and friends is essential, it’s also important to set aside some down time (at least five minutes) for yourself. Stress can lead to overeating, so this is important advice that will improve your mental and physical health.
3. Stay active with seasonal activities. Try ice skating or building a snowman with the kids/grandkids. Go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery. Lift that turkey over your head 20 times before placing it on the table (that was a joke, DO NOT try this!)
4. Drink lots of water. Although cold weather may make you less inclined to drink a glass of water, it’s just as important during the winter as it is in the summer. Water helps counteract the dehydrating effects of travel and can also help satisfy your appetite, as thirst is often mistaken for hunger.
5. Distribute meals. Don’t feel like you have to eat everything at once. Try to have an early dinner and then take a walk before sitting down for dessert. Waiting that extra time will give your body time to register that it’s full.
6. Don’t aim for perfection and enjoy the imperfections. There is no such thing as the perfect party or the perfect decorations or the perfect way to spend the holidays. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by making unrealistic demands on yourself.
7. Avoid or limit liquid calories. Many popular holiday drinks contain stimulants and alcohol. These substances are only a temporary escape from stress, and it can end up worse when the effects wear off. Remember that alcohol is a very high-calorie substance. So keep these drinks out of the picture and have a cup of tea or coffee instead.
8. Don’t set unrealistic exercise goals. Keep your exercise sessions to an hour or so, 2-3 times a week. This should give you plenty of time for your shopping, socializing, and other festivities.
9. EAT on Thanksgiving and Christmas. This vacation comes only once a year…so enjoy it to the fullest. Eat whatever you want for Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner. However, after that meal, watch your calorie intake for the rest of the day. In other words, eat one big meal and don’t eat tons of food the rest of the day. Snack only.
10. Make your workouts a priority. Get a consistent and effective exercise program. Make sure he incorporates weight-bearing exercises and cardiovascular conditioning. As stated above, this will take 3 hours a week max, so we’re not talking about an unachievable goal. Book that hour in advance so you don’t procrastinate.
Well, there we have it, 10 tips that WILL WORK if you put them into practice. Remember, vacations can be fun and enjoyable without being gluttonous and stressful. Oh, and don’t tell Santa I made fun of her jelly-like abdomen or I might end up with coal in my stocking!