How to Make Merry Without Maximizing Weight
The holidays are here, and it is time for cheer. However, that cup of cheer might soon bring fear when we add up all the extra calories that show up all around. From Christmas cookies to Christmas stress, there are many reasons that our bellies grow and create the need for the same New Year’s resolution as last year, to lose more weight.
Don’t start off behind.
The more you can manage the excess now, the less work you will need to do to come January. Simple healthy choices go a long way to make you merry without making you larger. Leave the belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly to Santa Clause. A healthy you is a happy and merry you. Give yourself the most important gift, a gift that keeps giving, the gift of health.
Here are some tips to help you keep your weight in check without foregoing your holiday traditions:
- Mark all of the holiday events you’ll be attending on your calendar so that you’ll remember to plan ahead. If the meal is not at your home, eat lighter the day of the event to balance the extra calories you may consume at the party1.
- Continue working out. Just because you are busy wrapping gifts, getting gifts, and decorating, that doesn’t mean that you have to skip out on the gym. Make it a priority in your schedule2.
- Opt for a lighter plate to start. Eating slower helps you lose weight because our bodies actually have time to fill up and digest. That means that we won’t stuff our faces and end up with a stomachache2.
- Choose and incorporate fun aerobic activities into your holiday plans, such as ice skating or sledding with your family3.
- Be active with family and friends. Sedentary activities, such as sitting on the couch watching TV, are common holiday traps.
Weight gain during the holiday season is extremely common due to celebrations and social gatherings, which are known to have high-calorie foods like desserts, sugary drinks, and alcohol. There’s also evidence of a decrease in physical activity during this time of year.
Holiday weight gain is a common concern for many adults. Various seasonal holidays may encourage overeating, sedentary behavior, and consumption of calorie-rich foods. In fact, between mid-November and mid-January, adults in Western societies gain an average of 1 pound (0.5 kg).
It’s important to note that stressing out about calories and weight gain could backfire, spurring overeating.
Here are some tips to make your own healthy holiday drinks:
- Use natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or stevia instead of sugar1.
- Use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk instead of dairy milk1.
- Use fresh fruits and vegetables to add flavor and nutrition to your drinks1.
- Use herbs and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to add flavor without adding calories1.
- Avoid using alcohol or use it in moderation1.