The holidays are notorious time of weight gain for most people. Instead of gaining unwanted pounds this season, try my FREE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL PLAN. Just follow my daily tips to give yourself an extra edge against the holiday pitfalls. I look forward to helping you holiday-proof your waistline!
Remember as you work to manage your weight through the holidays, small steps can add up. Take time to read the tip for each day and take action to minimize weight gain.
Checkout my Metabolic Minute Videos for more information on why these tips will help you through the Holidays!
November 21: Be Realistic
Trying to lose weight during the holidays may be a self-defeating goal. Maybe a better goal is to just maintain your weight. Set a goal that's realistic.
November 22: Eat Before You Eat
Your first challenge is here! A lot of people try to starve themselves before the big meal. Don't do it! The best strategy is to eat before you eat. An ideal amount is at least 60 calories of lean protein 20 minutes before the party.
November 23: Celebrate The holiDAYS
Remember it is a holiDAY, not a holiWEEK, not a holiMONTH. Only allow yourself the actual holiday to splurge if you want, but keep to your plan the rest of the holiday season.
November 24: Get Enough Sleep
During the holiday season, prioritize your sleep. This is a busy time of year, but at least 7 hours of sleep helps control your hunger and stress levels.
November 25: Don't Sample While Cooking
As you are preparing food, do not sample the food you are preparing. The "small" bites and "little" tastes can add up to a LOT of calories.
November 26: Add Minutes Between Seconds
Try to wait at least 15-20 minutes between each trip to the buffet. This will help your body get to the point of feeling full before you overeat.
November 27: Plan for Parties
Before you go to a holiday party, decide how much you are going to allow yourself to eat and remind yourself of your weight goal. And eat a sneal® before you go to the party.
November 28: Use A Small Plate
When you select your plate, pick the smallest plate available so that your portions will be smaller.
November 29: Protein, Vegetables, Dessert
A good buffet strategy is to get a small plate, fill it with protein first and eat that. Then go back for vegetables. Save desserts for last when you'll be less hungry.
November 30: Fill Up On Water
At a party, drink lots of water to help fill you up.
December 1: Stick To Special Treats
When is comes to treats and desserts during the holidays, try to choose only special occasion treats that you cannot get the rest of the year and skip all other sweets.
December 2: The Secret To Losing Weight Is Eating
Don't skip meals. This backfires because you come to the next meal over-hungry and eat even more. eat sneals® throughout the day.
December 3: Have A Strategy For Stress
If the holidays are stressful for you, have a healthy plan in place to deal with your emotions and stress instead of turning to food. Try to find a healthy activity that you can turn to when you feel stressed.
December 4: Fill Your Hands
When you attend a party, grab a glass of water to hold in your hand so that you aren't as easily tempted to keep reaching for the finger food.
December 5: Beware Of Liquids
Eggnog, beer, soda, and wine go down easy and can add hundreds if not thousands of calories to your daily intake. Drink more water.
December 6: Be Careful About Treat Purchases
Don't buy goodies to far ahead of an event or you may be tempted to eat them. Store them out of sight to help save them for the event instead of becoming a snack.
December 7: Slow Down
Eat slowly and enjoy each mouthful. You'll eat less.
December 8: Be Aware Of Why You Are Eating
Make sure you are only eating if you are hungry, and not just munching because food is near.
December 9: Find Eating Alternatives
Make a list of things to do besides eating: take a walk, call a friend, do some cleaning.
December 10: Avoid Grazing Stations
If you tend to graze during buffets or parties, do not stand in the same room as the food.
December 11: Slim Down Favorite Recipes
Look for and invent lower-calorie versions of your favorite holiday recipes. CarbEssentials has many ingredient options that can help you with this. Come in and ask our staff for help!
December 12: Use A Plate
Always eat everything off of a plate. This helps you see exactly how much you are eating vs. snacking or sampling that can add up to more than you've estimated. This is called food amnesia.
December 13: Sneal® Every 2-3 Hours
Try to eat a small meal or sneal® every 2-3 hours to keep your digestive system constantly working. Learn more about Snealing® at Carbessential.net.
December 14: Have A 2-Drink Limit
If you're drinking alcohol, remember that it is high in calories and try to limit your consumption to a drink or two.
December 15: Eat A Sneal® Before Drinking
Alcohol on an empty stomach will make your blood sugar drop and your body will want to EAT. Be sure to eat some protein and carbohydrates prior to drinking, and it is best to never drink on an empty stomach.
December 16: Know Your Treat Intake
If you have a sweet tooth, allow yourself one candy cane to enjoy instead of eating out of a candy dish. It will help you eat the amount you plan to eat.
December 17: Avoid Office Landmines
If you work in an environment with lots of holiday treats, request that the treats are placed away from your cubicle, deck or office. Do what you can to avoid office treats.
December 18: Give Your Leftovers To The Guests
If you struggle with eating too many leftovers, give away all the leftovers if you host a party this season.
December 19: Move Your Body
Any additional activity will burn calories. Go on a walk, play with the kids, do anything that helps get you up and about to help counteract the inevitable extra holiday calories.
December 20: Socialize Over Eating
When you first get to a party, take time to engage people in conversation instead of heading directly yo the buffet line.
December 21: Always Use A Plate
Even for the smallest snack, put your food on a plate and sit down to eat. It will help you avoid grazing.
December 22: Ignite Your Metabolism
Despite the holiday rush, eat something when you fist wake up and start your day.
December 23: Get A Weight-Loss Partner
Be accountable to someone else for your weight. Have someone else weigh you weekly. That way someone else is seeing your weight instead of just you.
December 24: Have an Eggnog Strategy
Eggnog is heavy in calories, so if you choose to indulge, do so in limited supply. Sip eggnog from a shot glass and not a regular glass or cup!
December 25: Take A Break Before Overeating
If you are tempted to overeat at a meal, tell yourself that you can always eat more later, and put your utensils down and take a break.
December 26: Look for Small Steps With Big Rewards
Small things can help cut your total calories, such as scrapping off some of the icing from a cake or cupcake.
December 27: Focus On Food Passions
You don't have to eat only carrot sticks, but practice moderation and don't eat every dessert available. Pick one dessert that you love and savor it.
December 28: Remove Temptation
When you are full, have the plate taken away so you won't keep eating from it.
December 29: Water, Water, Water
Drink lots of water throughout the day to maintain a sense of fullness and hydration.
December 30: Does The Taste Justify The Weight
If you taste something and don't enjoy it, do not waste your calories eating it.
December 31: Have An Alcohol Protection Plan
On New Year's Eve, if your going to drink, be sure to be well hydrated with water and keep some carbohydrates and protein in your stomach throughout the night.