Holidays and Your Health: 4 Tips to Avoid Weight Gain
By Virginia Laird
As the holiday season approaches, it can be quite tempting to indulge in every treat that crosses your path. This is not a good idea. While you can take delight in enjoying many of them, healthcare professionals and fitness gurus have both offered tips to help you avoid the inevitable holiday weight gain, including:
- Bring your favorite healthy treat to share
- The tablespoon rule
- Choose your dessert carefully
- Have a plan and stick to it
Bring Your Favorite Healthy Treat to Share
When you know you are heading to a holiday party filled with sweets and treats, it can be nice to bring your favorite healthy treat to share. This serves two purposes. The first being a healthy choice at the party, and the second is being a good guest. When you are tempted to dive into the array of unhealthy foods, you can rely on your treat to bring balance back to your plate.
The Tablespoon Rule
The tablespoon rule is suggested by many weight loss programs during the holidays. It is a simple one to follow. The rule is to enjoy whatever holiday dish you would like, but only have one tablespoonful. No seconds are allowed on this plan, but the fact you can try everything can take the pressure off. Knowing full well that abstaining from all the holiday foods can be difficult, the rule of the tablespoon helps you to enjoy each dish in a small serving.
Choose Your Dessert Carefully
What’s on your dessert table? Warm apple pie, fresh pecan pie, pumpkin bread, the list is endless with options. The trick to avoid gaining weight when grabbing a dessert is to carefully consider which is best. Know how many calories you have already consumed and find a dessert that fits the bill. Another idea can be to get a half serving of the dish. Choosing carefully can play a vital role in keeping on your weight loss plan.
Have a Plan and Stick to It
When the holidays roll around, it is easy to throw all weight-related plans out the window in an effort to enjoy your meals and activities. Having no plan is detrimental to the waistline. It can be perfectly acceptable to alter your plans slightly to allow wiggle room to enjoy the treats that come with the holidays. However, it is necessary to have a plan of some sort and stick to it. This is the first line of defense in preventing holiday weight gain.
Now you are ready to begin the holiday party season and avoid gaining weight. May your holidays be merry and bright!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Costa Mesa, Calif.