Tis The Season to be Jolly … Let Yourself Go
With Halloween candy, Thanksgiving feasts, and infinite holiday cookies and treats, winter always seems to be the season that jeans shrink the most! Tis the season to eat! What would Halloween be without Twix and Reece’s Cups, Thanksgiving without WAY to much dinner and dessert, and the holidays without cookies? Halloween is over now, but there is still way more food to come! Nothing is wrong with a little indulgence, but here are some tips to combat the cookie weight.
1. Exercise
No better way to avoid holiday weight gain than to burn a few calories. Make sure you are staying active in the winter months, and not letting yourself get too comfy on the couch with your cornucopia of leftover treats.
2. EAT!
One of the best ways to avoid temptation at holiday parties is to eat before. Fill up on a healthy snack like almonds, fruits or veggies before you get the party. This will decrease the chances of overeating. And once you arrive, do not hover. Mingle, walk around, socialize do something other than hover over the table of treats!
3. Stay in control
Make sure to be aware what you have already eaten. It is also important to make sure to watch the alcoholic drinks. They sneak up on you, and bring with them a ton of calories. Also, drinking can cause you to snack and eat more than you had intended to. If nothing else, make sure you use a smaller plate so you have less room to load up on the goodies.
4. Keep a good routine
Many times being overtired or stressed can make us feel hungry and want to reach for some comfort food.
5. Eat slowly
It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to register that it is full and signal the brain that it’s had enough. Slow down a bit, and let yourself digest.
6. Stay positive
Don’t let yourself get bummed if you eat too much one day. Stressing about it will only make you want to grab a cookie.
Holiday eating is always fun and obviously delicious, but it can sneak up on you if you are not smart about your choices!
Sources:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/holidayeating12_01.aspx
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Holiday-Eating-How-To-Avoid-Gaining-Weight-During-The-Holidays.htm