Tips to Beat Holiday Weight Gain

Many people worry about packing on the pounds from November through January.  Want to know how to maintain your waistline with all the holiday parties coming up?  Here are a few tips to beat holiday weight gain and start the new year off right!

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How to Beat Holiday Weight Gain and Avoid Putting On Weight From November to January

Is it normal to gain weight during the holiday season?

Oh, how I miss my twenties and thirties. Those were the days when I could eat Christmas cookies and not put on a single pound. I didn’t have to worry about how to beat holiday weight gain because my metabolism worked off all those extra calories without me lifting a finger to lose weight. Now that I am in my forties, however, gaining weight during the holidays is a real concern.

Woman using scale surrounded by food and alcohol after party on floor, top view. Overweight problem

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I am pretty sure I put on weight just SMELLING the dang eggnog and homemade caramel. I will need to work hard this year to avoid those extra pounds around the middle called ‘too much stuffing’ and ‘one more slice of pie’.

Like these tips on how to beat holiday weight gain?  Read these weight loss tips, too:

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If you struggle to maintain your weight, especially around the holidays, you are not alone. How much weight does the average person gain at Christmas? You are actually in luck.  According to the New York Times, average weight gain during the holidays is only about one pound.  Of course, that is AVERAGE.  How do you make sure you don’t gain a lot more than that? 

Beat Holiday Weight Gain with These Simple Tips

How to Beat Holiday Weight Gain:

Holiday weight gain is a common concern for many adults.  The combination of overeating, eating the ‘wrong’ foods, and a serious lack of exercise all combine to make you gain weight in the coming months.  Here are a few ways to avoid holiday weight gain without giving up all the things you love about the holidays. 

Eat before you attend your holiday party:  

This may sound counter-intuitive, however, eat a small but healthy meal before you head out to the holiday office party. Sit down to a salad with grilled chicken and you won’t be so tempted by the pizza, casseroles, and other none diet friendly offerings.

bowl of almonds

Look for high protein, low carb options:

Protein is great for filling you up and empty carbohydrates just end up on your hips. Beans, lean meats, and my homemade hummus recipe are good choices when you are trying to watch your caloric intake. Even just snacking on mixed nuts is a better choice than going for the chips or crackers.

Avoid weight gain by eating more fiber:  

Fiber helps fill you up quickly. Head for the raw vegetables, whole grains, and fruit trays before you dip that chip into a creamy cheese dip.

Make your potluck dish diet friendly:  

Beat holiday weight gain by feeding yourself at every party! Offer to bring a dish and make it one that is diet friendly. You will have food at every gathering that won’t pack on the pounds.  Choose a few of these healthy recipes for potluck parties:

 

adults drinking cocktails at table

 

Skip the holiday cocktails:  

One of the best ways to beat holiday weight gain is to keep the ‘holiday cheer’ down to a minimum. Try to avoid drinking too many cocktails during the holiday if possible. If you are making them at home, dilute your favorite cocktail with sparkling water to cut calories and add a bit of ‘sparkle’ to your beverage.

Learn to say ‘No, thank you’: 

Do you have an aunt who just thinks you need to have seconds at every meal? Or a mom who keep shoving ‘just one more cookie’ at you? Just learn to say NO to beat holiday weight gain due to peer pressure.

bowl of bread

Avoid the white stuff:  

Empty calories come from things like bread, potatoes, whipped cream, pasta, and mayonnaise. If the food you are reaching for is WHITE, think again.

Drink lots of water:

 Not only is it good to stay hydrated but holding a water glass gives your hands something to do besides shovel food into your mouth!

Stop nibbling while you cook:  

Yes, those little cookie dough balls and bits of candy cane really do have calories. So, stop putting them in your mouth when you think no one is looking!

bacon date appetizer on toothpick with bread

Count Your Canapes:

You know those delicious little treats that come on toothpicks? It’s easy to eat a ton without realizing it. When there are canapes, keep track of how many you eat by stashing a toothpick in your pocket for each one. Set a limit and stick to it.

Make time for exercise:  

It’s hard enough to find time to exercise during the week but add in holiday chaos and some days it is nearly impossible. You are going to HAVE to schedule exercise into your day to beat holiday weight gain. Added pounds are merely more calories IN than are going OUT. Put it on your to-do list and get up early for a trip to the gym.

christmas mug and cookies in winter snow

Treat yourself occasionally:  

Saying no to every holiday treat is depressing and more often than not results in things like eating an entire pie in one sitting. Let yourself have a cookie occasionally. Just don’t eat the whole tray!

You CAN beat holiday weight gain this year if you pay attention to what actually goes in your mouth and plan ahead a little bit! Do you have any other tips to beat holiday weight gain?

 

 

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