The holiday season is many peoples favorite time of the year. It’s a time to give, laugh and celebrate. But with holidays also comes food, food and more food. We all love to indulge in our favorite holiday dishes and cookies, but sometimes it can go a little overboard. Maintaining the right mindset and following these tips can help you enjoy the holiday treats you love without packing on those few extra pounds.
Eat Mindfully
Don’t go to parties on an empty stomach, as it makes you prone to overeating. It takes a few minutes for your stomachs “I’m full” signal to reach your brain, so it is best to take a 10-minute break after your first helping. You might realize you are full or want only a small portion of seconds.
Stay Hydrated
If you are consuming alcoholic beverages over the holidays, try alternating with glasses of water in between your cocktails.
Choose Healthy Substitutes
With a few simple diet tweaks, you can pander in your favorite holiday foods without packing serious pounds. For example, replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, trade mashed potatoes for mashes sweet potatoes, chose broth based soups over heavy cream based ones. Even try having a smoothie for breakfast.
Reinvent Your Holiday Workout
Plan your workout regimen around your holiday schedule. You can aim to split your physical activity into smaller, more manageable time intervals, or if you do not have time to go to the gym you can work out in the comfort of your own home with online tutorials.
Make Time for Self-Care
Don’t let the holiday madness take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Take some time off from shopping, cooking or socializing to relax and unwind. It is also important to get adequate sleep. Shortchanging your sleep can alter your hormone levels in a way that encourages weight gain and cravings for less healthy food.
It is okay to enjoy yourself during the holiday time. But going in with the right attitude and the motivation to stay healthy will make you feel a lot better when the holiday madness has ended.
