7 ways to avoid weight gain while still indulging in festive fare
Splurging on Thanksgiving may have set off a domino effect for the rest of the holiday season. Here are some ways to navigate the holidays without letting your healthy habits slip.
Think small
The holidays are a time that people like to indulge a little bit, but you don’t want to overdo it either. Try to make small changes in your everyday life to even out the extra calories you might consume.
For instance, skip the cheese on your sandwich or spend your lunch break walking around the neighborhood, so you don’t have to turn down your favorite holiday treats.
Create a calendar
With the holiday season come family visits, travel, get-togethers and other time-devouring activities that can get in the way of daily workouts.
Instead of skipping them, make a schedule for the next few months that includes all of your obligations, then pencil in your workouts just like any other appointment. That way, you won’t be tempted to skip them.
Offer to bring a dish
If you’re not sure you’ll find healthy choices at a holiday gathering, offer to bring a tasty, healthy dish that you love and that other people will too.
Usually, offering to bring something makes menu planning easier for the host, plus you can count on having a nutritious option available at the get-together.
Treat yourself
Party fare like chips and salsa, cheese and crackers and store-bought cookies are foods that you can find year-round. Instead of filling up on those foods, treat yourself to the once-a-year goodies, like your mother-in-law’s sweet potato casserole or a couple of beautifully decorated homemade holiday cookies.
Go nuts
At holiday get-togethers, it’s easy to graze on baked goods, candy and chips. Instead, grab a handful of mixed nuts and snack on them slowly. Nuts are loaded with healthy fats and are very satisfying.
Start with veggies
Holiday meals typically include many vegetable dishes. As long as they’re not swimming in butter or topped with marshmallows, load your plate with veggies first. Once your plate is full with vegetables, add other options. Basically, eat the healthiest foods first, then nibble on the treats.
Walk, then shop
Before you visit the mall to do your holiday shopping, grab your sneakers for an early-morning walk. Many malls open their doors a couple of hours before the stores open, so you can get in your exercise for the day before you shop until you drop.