Secrets to Avoiding the Holiday Pounds

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For so many of us, the holidays are a wonderful time with friends and family, but dread the extra weight that we know we’re bound to gain. But are these holiday pounds inevitable?

Well, the good news is that the pounds don't have to be the result of Holiday cheer! Below are the "secrets" to preventing the unwanted pounds this Holiday. Once you've read this, don't keep them a secret any longer. Go give someone else an early Christmas gift!

Secret #1: Practice Mindfulness

What does this mean? It means slowing down and listening to your body. It may not speak quickly enough all the time, but you know your body is constantly telling you things. Sometimes it tells you to stop a certain activity before you get hurt. During the holiday season, it tells you to put the brakes on your eating before you go beyond the point of no return. When your body tells you it’s full, listen up! A single bite after you’re full will lead to extra calories and eventually, extra pounds.

Holiday Secret #2: Put a Limit on the Holidays

Do you find your holidays becoming weeks or even months of poor eating? This is a common pitfall, but you can avoid it by limiting your holiday foods only on the actual day itself. Treat the other days like normal days—even if you’re off of work. And when the holiday is over, let someone else take the leftovers home and go home to your own house without any cookies or gravy in tow.

Holiday Secret #3: Eat First, Party Second

Yes, it's actually good to eat prior to going to your get together. Have a light, healthy meal at home with fruits, vegetables, a small portion of protein and a tall glass of water. Why? So when you get to that holiday party that is overflowing with cookies, cakes, candies, and calories, you’re not hungry for it. Your stomach is full of healthy goodness and has no room for the sugar and fat-laden temptations. The best approach to avoiding overdoing it is to treat the holiday just like any other day. Eat small, frequent meals (say every 3 hours or so) to prevent the cravings and keep your hunger at bay.

Holiday Secret #4: Plan Your Visit & Escape

Getting away from food isn’t easy. If it's too tempting to be around holiday foods all night, coming up with a plan is a smart thing to do. Prior to attending the get together, it's best to give thought to what you're going to eat and to bring a healthy dish with you to enjoy. Not sure about the kinds of foods yet? That's okay. Before grabbing a plate or beginning to sample, peruse the table first and ask yourself which items you MUST have. Take small portions and only visit the table once. Oh, and the escape part....make plans an hour or so after the tempting event begins and excuse yourself.

Holiday Secret #5: Exercise Everywhere

One of the best excuses to gain weight is that you have to travel to visit family and don’t have access to your gym or personal trainer. Well, guess what? You can still find ways to exercise! Scope out the area where you’ll be traveling and take advantage of whatever exercise opportunities are available. Gym in the hotel? Go for a quick walk or run in the morning before everyone is up. There may be a gym or pool at your hotel, a pay-as-you-go gym, or a nice park nearby where you can walk or run with or without family members. The opportunities are endless - you just need to remember how great you feel after you've moved your body and the rest is history.

Holiday Secret #6: Focus on the People

Holidays are about family and friends…right? Then stop focusing on food! When you go to a party, there is no need to hang out by the food table when there are people all around you! Ignore the grub and go for the meaningful stuff that you’ll remember and cherish. Besides, it’s much easier to talk without a mouthful of food and you'll even find it easier to listen when you’re not thinking about the next bite.

Holiday Secret #7: Drink Instead

No, we don't mean alcohol. Instead, carry a glass of water everywhere you go. As you mingle with your water glass, you’ll find it challenging to grab more than a couple of finger foods here and there, and the fact that it is water will help you remember to watch what else goes in your mouth!

So there you have it. Seven holiday secrets to keep you feeling good during (and after) the holidays and avoiding the extra pounds. Here's to a happy and healthy 2016. You can do it!

P.S. Don't forget to share these "secrets" with friends!



 Festive Hummus (Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil)
With the red and green speckles, this is the perfect hummus to bring to your Holiday party. It tastes great too! Serve it up with whole grain pita bread or fresh cut veggie sticks.

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans
  • 1 Tablespoon tahini
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 2 garlic cloves, mashed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 4 sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves


Preparation: One easy step!

Add all the ingredients into a food processor and combine until smooth.
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals:
75 calories, 2 g fat, 11 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, and 3 g protein.

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