The holidays can be dreadful for people who want to lose weight or maintain their figure. This festive time of year means there will be plenty of indulgent, fattening food and desserts which can be very hard to resist. However, with the right strategy and a bit of discipline you can enjoy the holidays without putting on the extra pounds or feeling stressed.
Here are some healthy holiday ideas you can enjoy while maintaining your weight:
1. Spend some quality time with your family. The holidays should mean time with family and friends, not stress and overeating. You can help out with the decorations around the house or spend some time going out for a walk if the weather is good on Christmas morning. Your holidays should not be focused on food but rather the time for togetherness and sharing. Most people make the mistake of looking forward to the indulgent food for the whole year and tend to overeat because of their anticipation for the holiday feast.
2. Prepare healthier foods for your family and friends. This is a great opportunity to share your favorite healthy dish and learn some new ones. A good idea would be to make a fruit salad and replace the heavy cream with low-fat yoghurt, barbeque lean chicken or fish and grill some asparagus. The holiday meals can be fattening with those unhealthy side dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy and white bread. It is very important to carefully consider what you will be eating this holiday season if you want to maintain your weight. You should also try to limit sweet treats. Remember, there are endless recipes online these days for gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free food. Healthy does not have to mean boring. It would be a great experiment to see how you feel afterwards.
3. Dont forget to to burn off those calories. The cold weather during the holidays can often make us feel lazy. Exercise should always be prioritized during the holiday season. If you can not exercise because of your busy schedule, you can try to engage in more physical activities with your family and friends. You can go bowling skiing, or skating with friends or you could even play some Nintendo Wii games with your kids to get your daily dose of exercise during the holidays.
4. Be smart when you are at a party. The holidays are often filled with invites from friends and family for gatherings and parties. Keep in mind that you are at these parties to spend some time with your relatives and friends and not to overeat. A good way to avoid overeating is to share your food. When you are eating desserts, it is a good idea to split it with your partner so that you dont overeat. Did you know you only need two bites to satisfy that craving? Moderation and sharing are healthy ways to lose weight.
5. Know your limits when it comes to food and wine. If there are foods and alcoholic drinks that you find irresistible, it is best to set yourself limits or alternate your alcoholic drinks with water. That way, you can enjoy them without overindulging. You can even buddy up with your partner or a friend who is also watching his or her weight. This is very helpful because you have someone to remind you of your diet and weight.
