The best laid weight loss plans can take a hit during the holidays. It’s an easy time to forget your goals and indulge in some of your favorite foods. Unfortunately, one or two days of ignoring your weight management plan can cause you far more work down the line.
Luckily for you, the experts here at Matthews Internal Medicine have thought up a few ways to stay on target during the holiday season. With our tips and some willpower, you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays without setting your weight loss plans back significantly.
How to Stick to Your Diet This Holiday Season
There are a few ways to prepare for the big meals of the season. If you follow some of these tips, you can still have a great time without interfering with your own weight management goals.
Host at Your House
What’s an effective way to make sure that your holiday gathering has some delicious, healthy food to choose from? Host the holiday dinner at your home! By hosting you can make sure that foods that fit into your diet make up a big part of the menu. You can enjoy your meal without feeling too guilty later. If you can’t host, consider bringing some healthier foods of your own to family dinners this season.
Don’t Skip Meals Before a Holiday Party
If you know that a big holiday meal is in your near future, you might not worry too much about skipping breakfast. There will be plenty of food around for lunch and dinner, so it’s no harm right? Plus, if you know that you’re going to eat more than normal at a holiday meal, isn’t it a good idea to pass on an earlier one? Actually, this is a bad plan.
By skipping a meal you could end up being so hungry by the time you actually eat that your diet plan goes right out the window. You’ll be too hungry to accurately gauge how much food you actually need. This means overeating and perhaps overindulging in some of the less healthy items that will give you more immediate satisfaction. Instead of helping with your weight management regimen, skipping an earlier meal could actually hurt it.
Eat Slowly
If you’re seriously dieting, you probably already know that your body doesn’t tell you right away when it’s full. When we eat fast we risk overeating. So make sure that you take the time to talk to other people at the table. Don’t rush your meal and actually enjoy everything that you eat. You might end up needing far less food than you thought to feel full.
Be Aware of Liquid Calories
Holiday gatherings often mean beer, liquor, and wine. These can sneakily add a lot of calories to your meal. Drink in moderation and space out your alcoholic drinks. If you’re not an alcohol drinker, you should still be careful about drinking too much soda. This is another beverage that can throw off your diet plan.
Carve Out Time For Exercise
Finding just a small amount of time to exercise can make a difference. A brisk 30-minute walk won’t interfere with your holiday plans too much, and it’ll keep your metabolism up. With these tips, the holiday season won’t be able to stop your weight loss plans.