Holiday Weight Management
Thanksgiving is over and the holidays have officially begun. It’s time to cozy up next to the fireplace and enjoy hot cocoa and sugary holiday treats. Let that not be you this year! Stay active this holiday season!
Tradition tells us that this is a time when people throw caution to the wind in anticipation of New Years’ resolutions.
When you think about it, it’s really not that long until the holidays are over. There are only 35 days from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Don’t get yourself into a 35 day rut.
With this in mind, kick off the season with the #SOBikini top 5 ways to avoid holiday weight gain:
1. Don’t buy into it. Studies show that the average American gains 1 to 2 pounds during the holiday season. And, those extra pounds tend to become permanent baggage (WebMD). Year after year, those pounds can add up, and contribute to overweight or obesity later in life.
All this talk about over-indulging, and starting the New Year virtuous, makes overeating as contagious as the flu. So don’t buy into it. Enjoy the traditional food that’s around during the holidays but break the tradition of overeating.
2. Don’t graze, eat meals. Did you know the average person has already met 90% of their daily calorie needs before sitting down to their holiday meal (Mindless Eating)? How is this possible? It’s all the grazing that’s done before the meal. A little bit of this. A lot of that. More picking. A little more picking.
So instead of grazing, fill a small plate with your favorite appetizers, sit down and enjoy every bite. Remind yourself that you need just enough to hold you over (but not to spoil your appetite) until the main meal is served.
3. Be active. Exercise is your secret weapon during the holidays. It’s a stress reliever and it gives you the additional energy you’ll need. A lot of gyms will have specials going on during this season. If there is a good deal, do it! Try something new. Or put it on paper. Sign up for a fitness event in January that will keep you training all holiday season long.
4. Practice a new way of eating. Always start your meal with 1 full glass of water. After you have downed that, fill you plate with colors! A colorful plate is a healthy plate. Once you have finished your first serving, wait at least 5 minutes, enjoy another glass of water and then decide if you really need serving number 2.
5. Exercise while completing the to do’s. Finding yourself skipping a workout because the to do list is too long? Spending your days in the malls or grocery stores during the holidays? Make it an activity. Speed walk or do an extra lap around the mall or store! Increase your calorie burn every chance you get!
What do you do to stay balanced during the holidays? Please share your thoughts! Follow Chef Susan Irby @thebikinichef on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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