Did you know that the average person gains between 7-10 pounds over the holidays?! Between the gravy, the baked goods, the hot beverages and the late nights we are bombarded with goal sabotaging decisions. Not to mention most of us in colder climates are hiding our new layer of fat behind bulky sweaters and tights.
Considering all of that, it’s no shock that the average American consumes about 4,500 calories and up to 229 grams of fat at Christmas dinner!! So, how can you stop yourself from gaining more than a pound in a day? Here are 10 tips for this holiday season to help you enjoy and stay on track!
1. Kick your day. Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Not only is this important within one hour of waking up to really boost your metabolism BUT it will also help curb your cravings throughout the day. It will help with those noon hunger signals that lead to dipping your hand in the Christmas baking jar. For clean eating ideas:
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2. Don’t go overboard on appetizers. 'Tis the season of parties!! AND appies. It’s easy to consume 1,500 calories before the main course even hits the table. Instead of skipping the baked brie altogether, fill most of your plate with vegetables and healthier choices, then leave just a little room for a taste of the indulgent snack. An average serving of dip or cheese is one ounce, roughly the size of your two thumbs.
3. Move your body! Make sure you are working out every single day throughout the holidays! Not only will this help burn off the extra calories from last nights Christmas get together but it will also help you focus. Exercise can help you make much better choices with your eating throughout the day, boost your mood, and help you stay calm during the holiday hussle.
4. Enjoy your favorites. One of the best things about the holidays are the memories and traditions. Don’t limit yourself from enjoying your favorite dishes, but only have a small scoop of those that are less healthy. According to Brian Wansink, PhD, Director of the Food and Brand Lab at the University of Illinois, it only takes four bites for your nostalgia of a food to reach its peak.
5. Get lots of rest. Between parties, shopping for gifts and family get-togethers, the holidays can leave you really stretched for time and sleep. But making sure you are getting enough sleep is important for kicking off the New Year on the right foot. Getting enough sleep helps you boost energy for your workouts and wards of weight gain. Its also helps keep stress levels down and keep the cravings away. A quick nap between 1pm-4pm will help if you are really busy in the evenings and will be up a little later.
6. Consider hosting. If you are at your own home or venue, you are in full control. You can prepare healthy appetizers and main course. Going to someone else’s home? Bring a healthy side dish of your own! They’ll appreciate it way more than the gift of cellulite.
7. Limit your alcohol. Limit yourself to one drink before or during dinner and one drink after dinner. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your craving for salt and may set you up to eat 30% more than you intended. Get drunk at dinner and all your inhibitions will be down by the time dessert comes. Not to mention you will feel better about yourself in the morning, create a positive cycle where you want to rise, workout and eat right
8. Forgive yourself. Did you read this and still overdo it? Don’t keep slipping down the slope. Get up and get moving! Start the process all over again with a good sweat and a great breakfast! If you wake up to a flat tire, do you fix the tire or do you slash the other 3??
9. Remember your goals. We all have those goals to fit into that sexy black dress for New Years....REMEMBER THAT when you go for the second helping of mashed potatoes. YOU and only you are in control of your progress, results and how you feel. MAKE YOURSELF PROUD!
Need a Gameplan?? Click here for more info about the Inferno Holiday Challenge
