HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN |

It’s that time of year again. The holidays are finally here! Unfortunately, this season is notorious for weight gain. Often during this time people overeat and drink more alcohol than they normally would. No need to worry because drinking, baking, and comfort food are no match for these easy tips to avoid gaining weight this holiday season.

Get to the gym in the AM. Going to the gym when you wake up in the morning can boost your metabolism and help you sleep better at night. Many people report that it gives them energy for the day and prevents them from snacking on unhealthy foods. Exercising before work or school puts people in a healthy mindset for the day.

Be picky at the buffet. Holiday parties often have tables filled with platters of rich and fattening foods. Pick your favorites and savor them. If you aren’t dying to have something, don’t add it to your plate. Those excess calories translate to unwanted bloating and weight gain.

Build your willpower. Work on building self-control in all aspects of your life. When someone spills red wine on your sofa, take a deep breath. When your children are frazzling your nerves, give yourself a time-out. And when there is a leftover slice of raspberry cheesecake calling your name, toss it in the trash. The key to willpower is practice.

Beware of added sugar. Even though holiday cookies, cakes, and pies are very tempting, the added sugar in them directly translates to weight gain. Don’t completely deprive yourself of dessert, but substitute that pumpkin pie for natural sugar from fruit every once in a while. Your body will thank you.

BYO Dish. Instead of trying to figure out what is in every dish at a friend’s party, bring your own healthy side dish. Have a small taste of things that are teetering on unhealthy, but mostly stick to your own dish and other simple foods like veggies and salad.

Slow down. It takes a while for our brains to tell our bellies that we are full. Chew slowly and take small bites. This will help you to not overeat and feel sick after dinner. This goes for appetizers too. Don’t fill your plate with them all at once—mingle with friends in between trying apps.

Choose a small plate. If you are at a buffet style party rather than a sit-down dinner, grab a smaller appetizer or salad plate for your food. Using smaller plates can actually make us feel fuller with less food because our plates look filled. This will also slow you down, and you will be less inclined to grab seconds.

Count your drinks. Not only does alcohol add loads of unnecessary calories to your diet, but it also causes impaired judgement. Even though you may be on a strict “no cookie” diet, alcohol will let you have a cheat day.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drinking water helps people feel full, causing them to consume fewer calories. Instead of drinking sugar-filled sodas and juices, opt for ice water with your meals. Keep a water bottle by your desk at work, and make sure to especially drink before, during, and after a workout.

Reward yourself for your hard work. When you’ve worked hard to keep the holiday pounds at bay, you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor. CoolSculpting® is a fat freezing treatment that can help you to enhance your efforts by reducing stubborn fat on areas like the flanks, thighs, and abdomen—all without surgery. According to the website of The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Waterloo, their CoolSculpting® patients from cities like Guelph and Kitchener are usually healthy individuals who want to refine their physiques and have the fit look they have worked so hard to achieve.

Even though it may seem tough to maintain your weight during the holidays, it is possible. Set goals for yourself and try to follow these tips, but don’t deny yourself all the pleasures of the holidays. A few treats here and there will not make or break you. Just try and stay active and eat in moderation, and you will get through the holidays this year looking and feeling great.

Until Next Time,

Alysia xo