Keep Weight Gain Under Control With These Tips
By Genevieve Cunningham
As we move into the holiday season, there's one thing that almost everyone has on their minds. Food. Holiday food is the best food. It's rich and delicious. It's comforting and soothing. Of course, it's also packed with calories and not necessarily among the healthiest options. It's no wonder that the holiday season often brings a few extra pounds along with it. But does it have to? Definitely not. If you're interested in enjoying the holidays without the weight gain, take a look at these tips to keep it under control.
Learn Your Hunger Cues
Our bodies will tell us when it's hungry. They might tell us through a stomach pang or a mild headache. Unfortunately, many of us don't understand our own hunger cues. We mistake other things -- boredom, emotions, cravings -- for true hunger. Spend some time getting to know your own body. Pay attention to the way it feels before and after you eat. It might take some time, but over time, you can learn your hunger cues and avoid eating at times when true hunger isn't present.
Don't Drink Your Calories
You may want to splurge on apple cider or hot cocoa or eggnog through the holidays. And if you do that on occasion, that's fine. But try not to consume too many of your calories through drink. You'll consume far more than you realize, and since you'll probably still eat your normal amount of food, you'll end up with a little weight gain. Enjoy a nice holiday drink from time to time, but stick to water as much as you possibly can.
Plan Ahead
You plan holiday get-togethers ahead of time. You plan your gifts and your activities. You plan all of it! Why not include your food in this category? Plan your cheat meals. Plan your desserts. Plan for your favorite calorie-ridden dish that your grandmother cooks every year. Just make room in your diet for these foods and calories. If you plan ahead, you can space out the calories and keep yourself healthier through the entire season.
Weight gain happens during the holidays, but it doesn't have to be a certainty. There are steps that you can take to manage your calories and overall consumption. Use these tips over the next few months, and leave the holiday season with your weight and your health intact.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Covina, Calif.