Written by Jamie, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
The holidays can be both exciting and dreadful at the same time. While it can bring us joy, it can also make us feel uneasy by how easily it can cause weight gain. After all the effort we spent during the year getting in shape, the last thing we want to do is to retrogress to the starting point. So what can we do to help maintain what we’ve achieved while still enjoying the holidays? Here are three ways to prevent holiday weight gain.
1. Eat What You Want, But in Moderation
During the holidays, there are plenty of temptations to try all sorts of foods. The rule of thumb is to enjoy the food you love, but with some restraint to keep from overindulging. To help with eating in moderation, practice mindful eating. Put your fork down when you start to feel comfortably full. Also, if you know, you will be having a large meal later in the day, try a meal replacement shake like Almased for breakfast or lunch to help save on calories.
2. Be Active Throughout the Day
With the holidays around the corner plus the colder weather, it is easy to be a couch potato. Several hours of sedentary activity can contribute to undesirable weight gain. Be sure to get a daily dose of 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day. It does not have to be a planned exercise, but an activity as simple as taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood, a charity event or cleaning up around the house can help burn off some calories.
3. Relax and Breathe
Although the holidays are enjoyable, there are times when it can become stressful, which can lead to overeating. Taking 10 minutes each day to meditate is a great way to reduce tension and prevent stress-eating. Meditating can be done in the morning to jump-start your day or before bedtime to help with sleep. You can also mediate through yoga exercises, by using a guided meditation app, or in a self-guided manner if you are more experienced.
