7 tips to avoid holiday weight gain
Nov 13, 2016, 2:04 PM | Updated: Feb 16, 2017, 11:39 am
Holidays and feasting have long been linked. Copious quantities of scrumptious food are the foundation of many celebrations.
The dark side of holiday eating is most of us don’t need the extra calories and pounds that often result. WebMD.com explains, “According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important factor in adult obesity.”
One way to avoid permanent holiday bulge is to come up with a plan ahead of time to deal with the annual problem of parties, food and extra pounds.
Here are some recommendations.
Get a head start
It’s easier to win a race if you get a head start. To combat winter excess, consider action you can take now before the celebrations begin. Ramp up your exercise routine and start eating healthy now. If you need some extra help, consider a body shaping option like CoolSculpting.
Divert your attention
At holiday parties, don’t focus on the food. Instead of eating, spend your time visiting with family or friends, playing games, dancing, listening to music, etc. Whether you are at a small family get-together or a larger event, conversation can be a great diversion from food, so find some friends and chat.
Eat before you go
Don’t go to a party on an empty stomach, advises lifehacker.com.
“Going into a party or function when you’re starving is setting yourself up for disaster. Your eyes will become bigger than your stomach and you will want to eat everything in sight.”
Eat some healthy food beforehand so you will be less likely to stuff yourself as soon as you walk through the door.
Stick with your plan
Some people like to rely on willpower alone to avoid eating too much. Others try to avoid sweets and carbs. Some try to count calories. Whatever method you choose, it is likely at some time during the holidays you will falter. Instead of feeling guilty and abandoning your plan for the rest of the season, recommit to doing better and start again.
Be picky
When attending a dinner buffet, look over all the selections and focus on a few items you really want to enjoy. If you love wings, start with those instead of first filling your plate with fries that you really don’t care about. Health.com quotes obesity expert Dr. Tim Church of Louisiana State University as saying, “If you pick the stuff you really want and have it in moderation, you’ll stave off those cravings that can get you in trouble later on.”
Keep exercising
During a busy holiday season, it can be a challenge to maintain your regular workout routine. Commit to still do a couple workouts each week. If you normally do a daily four-mile walk and you simply don’t have enough time, at least do a shorter segment or do 10- or 15-minute spurts of exercise during the day.
Cut down on alcohol
For many, drinking and holidays go together. Unfortunately, alcohol contains empty calories, notes active.com. It offers no nutritional value and contributes to weight gain. If you don’t want to eliminate drinking, “Try having a seltzer with a lime twist or a glass of water between alcoholic drinks to help cut calories and remain well hydrated.”
Get professional help
Some people want to look their best before the holiday season. Procedures like CoolSculpting can eliminate fat cells to minimize love handles or a tummy bulge in time for holiday parties. If it is an option you want to consider, consult with a professional who has had experience performing thousands of procedures.
With some pre-holiday planning, you can enjoy the festivities — and even the buffet table — and not spend the rest of the year trying to work off the extra pounds you gain.
Successfully administering a CoolSculpting treatment requires focus, attention to detail, and the knowledge and confidence that comes with successfully administering thousands of CoolSculpting treatments. Bodify has performed over 8,000 treatments to date and growing. CoolSculpting is ALL we do. To say we know it like the back of our hand is an understatement.