13 Easy Ways to Avoid Packing on the Holiday Pounds

The holidays are here now, and this is the worst time of year for those trying to lose weight, or trying to avoid gaining weight. With all those Christmas cookies and eggnog at your family gatherings, how can you avoid some fluctuation? Thankfully, we have some tricks to get you through the holiday season without feeling guilty when you look at the scale afterwards.

Eat A Snack First

Around the holidays, parties are bound to be full of different foods to eat. If you’re trying to avoid gaining weight, or you want to stick to your diet, eat a snack before going out. You’ll be less likely to eat too much, if you’ve snacked, prior to going to a holiday party.

Keep Track Of What You Eat

A food journal can go a long way, and it can help you to keep track of everything you’ve eaten throughout the day. If you notice that the scale shifts upwards at the end of one week, try to adjust your portion sizes, or the foods you eat, the following week.

Don’t Taste Everything While Baking

Many cooks and bakers have the habit of sampling their own foods, prior to them being finished. This is a recipe for weight gain, especially around the holidays. If you’re baking goodies, you can taste it to make sure it’s prepared correctly, then no more!

Don’t Leave Cookies Out All Day

If you’ve baked cookies for the holidays, it’s best to put them out of sight, so they are also out of mind. Those who are trying to cut back on the holiday junk food, will do well to put away the cookies. Only bring them out during dessert time.

Talk More

The more you talk, especially while others are around, the less likely you are to think about food, or reach for food to put in your mouth. Many feel it’s impolite to talk while eating, so they usually will do one or the other. This is a great way to cut back on excessive snacks during holiday parties.

Don’t Skip Meals

It’s a proven fact that if you skip meals, you’ll make up for the lost calories at the next meal. You may end up eating double what you would have, if you hadn’t skipped a meal. Worse yet, you may eat anything in sight, if you skip your regular meal times.

Indulge A Little

Instead of having half a cake, have a small slice of cake. Instead of having five cookies, have one or two cookies. You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of sweets, or special foods during the holidays, just eat them in moderation.

Do Some Holiday Activities

Instead of rewarding yourself food when you feel good, or have achieved something, try ice skating, snowball fighting, or playing a sport. Constant activity will help to keep you from indulging in junk foods, especially around the holidays.

Take The Stairs

Although it’s more convenient to take the elevator while in a building, the stairs will help you burn calories, especially if you use them every time you come and go. The extra calories burned from taking the stairs will add up quickly.

Park Further Away

Park in the furthest parking spot away from any building your stopping at. The extra walk will not only burn calories, but it may just take your mind off any food cravings, and put more focus on getting to the store, which seems that much further away!

Bring Healthy Dishes To Parties

Fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods, may sound uninviting for a party, but it’s recommended. If you start bringing healthier foods to your parties, maybe the trend will catch on. Either way, you’ll have something healthy to eat, while you celebrate.

Watch What You Drink

Eggnog, liquor, beer, and sodas, all pack a high calorie punch. These can quickly help you to gain weight, especially around the holidays. If you’re watching what you eat, you also need to watch what you drink as well.

Maintain A Sleep Schedule

If you don’t keep a regular sleep schedule, you’re unlikely to keep a regular eating schedule as well. If you stay up late, you may snack late also, which can lead to weight gain. Set a scheduled time to sleep everyday, so you’re less likely to mindlessly snack.