How to Lose Weight During the Holidays?

Ok before I lose you on the title bare with me for a couple of paragraphs.  This will be my second set of holidays since I started my weight loss journey in Boise, Idaho.  We still live for the holidays and family gatherings.  Still, I have lost weight during the holidays and still enjoyed my meals with family and friends.  I believe these hints will not only help you stay away from adding on a “holiday bulge”, but they may even help you maintain your current weight or loose some.

1. On the chosen holiday.  Eat all day! See I told you some of them you would like.  Now beware though there are some guidelines behind this suggestion.  First of all keep it down to like 6 meals that day.  Notice I did not say 6 full meals, after all I don’t want anyone exploding in their family living room.  Lets make them 6 small meals.  Pick up a salad plate (smaller portion space) and pick out your chosen foods.  I suggest you start with a good portion of protein, it will fill you up and hold you longer.  Keep the carbs do the more complex kind if available and don’t let them take up more than 20% of your plate.  Fiber is your friend and so is water or tea.  Space your meals out every 2-3 hours and then when the full meal comes you won’t be heaping it so full the food is falling off.
2. The day before (if you exercise) go all out. Make it a full body all you can do workout.  That way the intake you get on the holiday will be spent in muscle repair and rebuilding.  Give it what you have.  You may be sore, but you will put all that fuel to good use.
3. Keep the deserts down to small slices of your favorites. Don’t take home the leftovers.  There is always someone ready to take home auntie Clair’s homemade apple pie

   

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   leftovers.  It doesn’t have to be you.

4. If on a diet plan, eat one of your healthy meals before you go to friends and relatives. You will arrive full and be less likely to start eating from all the choices in front of you.   Your diet should keep your metabolism up and curb any hunger.  Often during holidays we forget to eat because we get so busy getting ready.
5. One last hint.  Make a decision for health. Sounds simple doesn’t?  You need to decide before you go to the celebration if you are going to do it and stay on track or if you are going to blow it off and just eat.  Whatever you decide has its’ own paybacks and rewards.  An average holiday with lots of choices can ruin a month’s worth of work in weight loss.  Are you in for Life or just for the moment?

Choose wisely my friends and you will have more holidays, longer time with family, and that favorite holiday treat, well you will be there next time to enjoy it once again.  May each of you, which find this small spot on the internet, be blessed with a special time during the holidays.  Enjoy your moments!

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