Holiday Weight Loss Hype

Every year thousands of people make a New Year's Resolution to lose weight and eat healthier, along with exercising more. What if you did not need that resolution each year? What if, instead, you learned a habit of a healthy lifestyle that prevented unwanted weight gain. I understand that some weight gain is caused by medications, but for most of us (including myself), our weight gain is simply from bad habits.

I would like to offer a few tips for the holiday season that might help you (and me) to avoid that unwanted weight gain.

1. Drink 16 oz. of water before each meal. Start about 30 minutes before the meal, ensuring you do this before any gathering or dining out. This will help avoid the pitfall of mistaking thirst for hunger.

2. Carry an apple with you everywhere you go. The holidays are a busy time of year, and we find ourselves grabbing food at a fast-food joint or eating a candy bar to sustain us until our next meal or break. Eating an apple is a much better option. Apples are filling because of the amount of nutrients and fiber in them. They take a while to digest, so it should sustain you for an hour or more. They are also sweet, so they will help with those sugar cravings. This will help curb your appetite, allowing you to avoid those extra calories.

3. Choose desserts wisely. Desserts seem to be the downfall of most people. We simply "cannot" say no to so many delicious desserts. So, make a gameplan before you head out. Decide how much is okay. Take a small plate for dessert that will not allow you to over-eat. Aim for elegance in dining - this does not refer to where you dine, but how you dine. It is not elegant to eat a large plate full of desserts. It is elegant to eat one small dessert and enjoy every bite.

4. Don't prepare more food than is necessary. The trend for Thanksgiving and Christmas is to prepare feasts that would feed 30 people. Instead of preparing more food than is humanly possible for your group to finish, prepare only what you need. Choose a few healthy options to prepare extra of so that you can have your appreciated leftovers. Overall, scale down the amount of each food that you make. Remember to eat only what you need.

By following these tips, you can help curb that holiday weight gain and start the New Year one step ahead.

More tips to come!

I love to help you become healthier! Reply with questions, and if I cannot answer them, I will find someone who can!