If the holiday season was just one day, I would feel comfortable saying, go crazy and live it up. However, it tends to last several weeks, with holiday parties, family dinners, and tempting (but tasty) leftovers everywhere. So, that green light needs to turn to a cautious yellow! While it may be fun putting the weight on, reality strikes January 1, and the fun goes away. So pace yourself!
Here’s how:
• Eat breakfast every day. When you skip breakfast, you tend to overeat later in the day. Choose a quick, healthful breakfast option such as yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain cereal with skim milk.
• Drink water. Choosing water keeps you from drinking something else that may be loaded with calories and sugar. People who drink sugar-sweetened beverages tend to consume more calories.
• Limit your alcohol intake. Alcoholic drinks, especially holiday favorites like eggnog, can have many calories.
• Eat smaller portions. You can trick your mindless eating behavior by using smaller plates. We tend to feel deprived if our plates aren’t full, so make yourself happy and fill up (but on a smaller plate)!
• Snack ahead of time. Eat a light, healthful snack before heading to a party. This will help curb your hunger and decrease your visits to the buffet table.
• Slow down and enjoy. By eating slowly, you will not only get to savor the flavor, but be more mindful of what you are putting in your mouth.
• Maintain your physical activity routine. Regular physical activity is an important part of maintaining weight loss. Keep up your good habits before, during and after the new year.
• Pay attention to your appetite. Are you still hungry, or are you eating just because food is there? If you are tempted, walk away for 10 minutes, and if you still think it’s worth it when you come back – eat it.
• Party hard. By socializing more, such as talking, dancing, and playing games, you will turn your attention from food to fun.
