It’s that time of year again – Halloween has come and gone and the holiday season is just around the corner. If you’re anything like me, you’ve already started counting down the days until Thanksgiving and your mom’s home-cooking.
There are so many great things about the holidays – quality family time, catching up with old high school friends, and, of course, massive amounts of delicious food. However, often times, the latter seems to take control, and we find our jeans fitting quite a bit tighter by the end of January.
But, fear not Collegiettes™, here are some tips to ensure thatyou can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season:
- Be realistic.
Don’t plan on losing weight during the holidays. It is virtually impossible, and will most likely put on a damper on what should be a happy time of year. Instead, focus on maintaining your current weight by making small adjustments to your ordinary routine.
2. Indulge, Mindfully.
There is nothing wrong with indulging in the tasty desserts offered at holiday gatherings. In fact, deprivation can lead to unhappiness, and even cause binge eating later on down the road. So, treat yourself– you deserve it!
However, keep in mind this does not give you a “free pass” to gorge on every food item on the buffet. Instead, try scoping out all of the food options before filling your plate. This way, you can consciously decide which dishes are worth the splurge. *Hint: Always try to include fruits and vegetables on your plate, the added fiber will keep you satisfied longer.
3. Stay Active.
Let’s be honest, almost everyone eats more during the holidays; it’s a fact of life. But, by exercising regularly, you can help to offset those inevitable holiday splurges. Keep in mind, exercise doesn’t always have to be confined to a gym. Check out these simple moves that can easily be done in your dorm.
4. Don’t Skip Meals.
Before leaving for a party, grab a light snack, like a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. This should make you less tempted to overeat once you arrive.
5. Take the focus off of food.
The holidays don’t have to be all about eating. Start some new family traditions like making wreathes or homemade centerpieces. You can even spend some quality time with your loved ones by planning group outings that don’t involve food. Try serving a meal at a local homeless shelter, playing board games, or taking a walk around your neighborhood to see all of the decorated homes.
6. Try “slimming down” old family recipes.
There are tons of ways to trim calories off of your favorite holiday treats, without sacrificing the taste. Check out these easy ingredient substitutions that can be used in almost any recipe.
*Sources:
http://www.greatist.com/health/healthy-recipe-substitutions/
http://www.cpmc.org/about/e-health/11-05%20healthy-holidays.html
http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2010/12/get-slim-without-the-gym-slideshow#slide=1