With the holidays just around the corner, we can already imagine the tons of food our families will be having for dinner! From the weeks of Thanksgiving through New Year’s, our lives will be filled with gatherings, dinners, and parties. It’s hard to say no to the frosted cookies, one more slice of pumpkin pie, or a second plate of turkey, but we can all still beat the holiday bulge if we try a bit. You don’t need to have a hardcore workout to avoid the weight gain – it’s all a matter of having self-control and doing light exercise to not make you feel bloated during this holiday time. Here are 5 pieces of advice on how not to gain weight this holiday season while still enjoying the festivities:
1. Portions are everything
When piling food on your plate, think carefully about what you REALLY WANT to eat. Take a second and realize HOW MUCH you want to eat. There’s a higher chance you’ll feel obligated to eat more if you serve more food on your plate. Walk around the buffet table and examine everything there is and serve yourself a little bit of everything you want, making sure you have some healthy foods such as veggies.
2. Save room for only a few desserts
We know that often the desserts are what we are mainly looking forward to binging on! However, they are the most sugary and unhealthy foods and we therefore need to pick carefully which ones we are dying to eat. As much as you are hyped to try your aunt’s special apple pie or to grab 10 sugar cookies, limit yourself at the dessert table and grab a small slice of pie and 1 sugar cookie.
3. Schedule a workout plan
It doesn’t have to be super intense where you grind so hard at the gym every day. Since you have more time during the holiday break you can wake up and go for a quick jog outside or workout inside with sit-ups, push-ups, planks, etc. Knowing that you were productive and worked out will also make you feel better while you’re munching during dinner!
4. Plan Ahead
If you know that later on in the evening you’re attending a Christmas party, don’t overwhelm yourself with a bunch of food, but don’t starve yourself either. Eat a well-balanced breakfast and a light lunch if you can. During the party, you won’t feel like you have to binge on everything you see, but you’ll still feel hungry enough to eat some special holiday goodies.
5. Take a walk or be active after a meal
Avoid sitting on the couch right after you finished a big meal at the dinner table. This will only make you feel bloated and want to unbuckle your pants because you feel like your stomach is about to explode. Walk around the party, talk to some old friends or family and be active. If your family likes to bond by playing Wii games, such as sports or Just Dance, that’s always a fun way to get some exercise while enjoying this special time!