Staying on Track Over the Holidays

Dec 3, 2021

Contributed by Wanda W.

The holidays are a time of over-indulgence and generosity.  There are parties, desserts, and treats everywhere you look.  We all let loose during the holidays and think, “This only happens once a year so it’s okay to eat anything I want.”  But come January when you step on the scale, you regret the extra calories and vow it won’t happen again.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

  • Eat Your Favorites. What are your favorite holiday items? Is it the marshmallow covered sweet potatoes or the homemade pecan pie?  Why not save the calories for these items instead of eating everything?  Sure pigs in a blanket taste good but which would you rather have?  You do not need to deprive yourself of what you love, instead savor and enjoy them.
  • Eat off of a small plate.   Load up a small plate and it seems like you are eating a lot of food.  Lack of portion control is the biggest contributor to weight gain.
  • Don’t skip meals.  Don’t starve yourself so you can eat more later. You will wind up eating too much and turning what you don’t need into fat.
  • Cut a deal with yourself.  Bargain with yourself.  For example: Instead of having seconds of dinner, I’ll have a slice of pecan pie; Instead of eating appetizers, I’ll eat extra turkey.
  • Say ’no’ or ‘maybe later.’  Peer pressure works on adults too.  If your cousin is telling you to have some of their apple pie ala mode, instead of acquiescing because you don’t want to hurt their feelings, say something like this, “I’m waiting a bit and will have some later.”  They will probably forget.
  • Eat your veggies first. They tend to be good for you, lower in calories (unless they are drenched in cream or butter) and tend to be more filling.  So eat them off your plate first, to get the most nutrition.
  • Go for a walk after dinner.  Instead of sitting on the couch, grab some of your relatives and go for a walk.  It will get the blood flowing and will burn calories.
  • Help clean up.  Cleaning up after dinner also helps burn calories and helps your host as well.
  • Don’t drink your calories.  For some reason, we don’t include liquid calories in our mind (another huge contributor to weight gain).  Be careful of all that beer, wine, hot chocolate and eggnog.  Practice moderation.

 

What helps you stay on track over the holidays?  We’d love to hear from you!  So, please get in touch at Food For The Soul.