How Not to Pack on the Pounds This Holiday Season

Maintaining a strict diet during the holidays is like walking outside in the rain and not expecting to get wet — challenging. Staying on track can seem daunting, especially with the aromas of cookies and gingerbread lingering through your home. Cinnamon, wood smoke, pine and even the cold winter air just remind you of the holiday season.

But, as everyone knows, the excess cookie pounds won’t disappear when the decorations come down and no one wants to start the New Year feeling like they need to go into hibernation. What’s the harm in holiday weight gain, even if it’s just a pound? Well, as it turns out, most Americans rarely lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. We have compiled, not fully tested yet, a few tricks to help you wake up the same size come New Year’s Day.

Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. Always remember to drink water, not sugary beverages, alcoholic drinks or coffee as they are filled with sugar and empty calories. Alcoholic drinks will not only leave you feeling sick the next day, but can also contribute to weight gain. Coffee and caffeinated drinks contribute to fluid loss while water gives you a fuller feeling, helping you avoid too much food intake.

Start your day out right. Exercising in the morning can help ensure better behavior throughout the day and leave you feeling great. While it may be difficult waking up early in the cold, it is much easier than attempting to work out after a long day at work.

Be sure to eat all throughout the day. Cutting back all day so you can indulge at the holiday party later that night sets you up for failure. You’re starving and it is easy to get out of control when you’re staring at unlimited food options. Eat three meals a day and a few snacks and aim for a lot of fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. Don’t sweat off desserts, but practice the three-bite rule to keep your sweet tooth in line. You’ll start off with the amazing first taste, a satisfying middle one and then the lingering last bite.

Chew slowly. While this may seem difficult for some as busybodies never have time to sit down and have an actual meal, it is quite important. Indulging in food quickly is a recipe for an expanded waistline — the more air you swallow, the more bloated you get. To munch at a much more leisurely pace, put down your fork between every bite.

Keep calm and kick cravings. Try to avoid temptation and never arrive hungry; chances are you’ll be surrounded by the holiday spread or desserts. Take a deep breath before you start adding helpings to your plate. Close your eyes and focus on your reaching for a few seconds. Then reevaluate whether or not you want to really fill your plate.