50 Ways To Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

The holidays are upon us and we couldn’t be more excited! Lots of time spent cozied up, surrounded by loved ones in festively decorated homes.

BUT…

What is one of everyone’s favorite holiday past times? EATING.

Oh yes, the dreaded holiday binge which we all fall victim to is really what’s upon us. Spirits are high and family traditions of marshmallow-smothered sweet potatoes abound!

But you don’t want to undo all the work you’ve done this entire year just to say you fully satisfied your need to fall asleep with a turkey leg in your mouth, do you?

Didn’t think so.

Consider your motivation. All human behavior is motivated by something. So, think back to last year or the year before, did you overindulge during the holidays? Did you gain weight? Feel bloated and guilty and swore to yourself never again? Well, “again” is coming up, will you do things differently to avoid last year’s results?

Here is a list of 50 things you can do this season to avoid the holiday weight gain phenomenon.

Read on and gain a competitive advantage over that little voice inside that’s begging for just one more bite or mom’s famous pecan pie.

1) Use holiday meals as your planned cheat meal – If you’re on an eating plan you inevitable pencil in your cheat meal. Plan this around holiday festivities! Make a plan of action as to desserts too if you will be attending many gatherings. For example, if you are going to six gatherings, decide at which two or three you will have dessert and say no to the sweets at the others.

2) Don’t keep holiday goodies in your home – When the parties over, it’s over. Get rid of any lingering temptation.

3) Do extra workouts during the holidays to counteract the extra calories you may be eating at all those dinners and office parties.

4) Skip appetizers – Generally, appetizers are fat bombs (think fried foods and sauce drenched meats). Skip them whenever possible.

5) Opt for alternatives – Being health conscious has caught on so there are several alternatives to your holiday stables available.

Try almond milk eggnog!

6) Track your food intake – We’re not trying to take the fun out of the holidays, but keeping a food diary and being honest about what you’re eating will help you say no to that second cookie.

7) Cut your own portions – Sometimes people can be a bit too generous with the pumpkin pie. Cut your own slice.

8) Serve yourself – Same goes with your meal. Serve yourself to keep unwanted food off your plate.

9) Eat a salad at home before going to a holiday party so you eat less of the fattening foods at the party.

10) Exercise the morning of a celebration – typically, it is much more difficult for people to eat huge meals and many sweets after having worked so hard at the gym. Workout right before the party, you’ll be less likely to overindulge.

11) Don’t wear stretchy pants! – Wear something form fitting to the party. No one wants a food baby, this may help you keep your eating under control, and stretchy pants make it easier to over eat, while tight outfits will sound the alarm bells to STOP EATING!

12) Skip add-ons like whipped cream – Toppings can add loads of sugar to an already sweet treat. Skip the chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

13) Leave the leftovers with other people – Mmm…leftover turkey, stuffing and gravy sandwiches…tons of calories! You had your fill last night, send the leftovers home with someone else.

14) Drink lots of water before a get together – This works year round, but drinking water before a meal will help you eat less.

15) Avoid grazing while cooking – Ask your kids or spouse to be the official taste testers. You could end up eating a few hundred calories without even knowing it – spread the love!

16) Limit alcohol intake – Imbibing is all part of the fun, but alternate cocktails with water to keep the calorie count to a minimum.

17) 24-hour juice detox – De-bloat after a night of debauchery with a 24-hour juice cleanse. You’ll rid your body of toxins and banish any lingering holiday hangover.

18) Stick to your routine – Just because it’s the happiest time of the year doesn’t mean your normal routine is chucked. If you workout 4 times a week normally, that shouldn’t change.

19) Slow down on that second plate – Wait a bit before getting seconds. You’ll probably decide that you’re full and move on.

20) Chew gum – While socializing around a bunch of food it helps to chew gum. You won’t be able to stuff crackers and cheese in your mouth if it’s preoccupied with something else.

21) Pile on the veggies first – Same as always fill your plate with the good for your stuff first to limit room for more decadent options.

22) Protein second – Ditto the veggie concept with your protein!

23) Set a fitness goal for just after the holidays – Stay motivated throughout the season by setting goals, which require consistent training like a fun run or half marathon.

24) Find an accountability buddy – When you have someone to check in with, you’re less likely to fall off the wagon. No one likes to call themselves out.

25) Just say no! – Easier said than done, but seriously, just say no if someone keeps shoving food in your face.

26) Leave early – If you’re not around for dessert, you don’t have to eat it.

27) Use small plates – Less of an opportunity to pile on the good stuff if you have limited real estate!

28) Be the hostess – The ultimate way to save on calories…cook everything yourself. You’ll have full control over what goes on your plate.

29) Create new traditions – Who says that all holiday activities need to be done indoors? Start a new tradition of a Christmas morning hike and burn off some of last night’s indulgences.

30) Start with a salad course – Fill up on less calorie dense foods. Of course, be wary of fatty dressings. If there’s nothing but, ask for lemon juice, salt and pepper.

31) Only eat your ‘must have’ holiday treats – Be strategic about what you spend your calories on. If you only sort of like apple pie, don’t eat it just because it’s there.

32) Realize the celebration isn’t actually 2 months long – It’s tempting to use the holidays as an excuse to indulge for a long time. Stick to only going off plan at parties and dinners.

33) Allow only one celebratory night a week – It’s possible to have several invitations in the same week. Attend all the parties you’d like, but choose only one to treat yourself at.

34) Make early plans the following day – If you have to get up early and meet friends for a morning run, chances are you’ll lay off the booze the night before.

35) Be a social butterfly – More talky, less eaty!

36) Don’t linger around the food – Positioning yourself within arm’s reach of temptation is dangerous. Try to hover around the non-edible items at the party.

37) Put something on your plate you don’t like – If you’re having self-control issues, try toting around a food item you’re not that crazy about. It’ll help keep your hands busy without the temptation.

38) Be a helping hand – When you have something to do you’re less likely to reach for the chips and dip. Offer to help refresh drinks or tidy up throughout the evening.

39) Avoid the punch bowl – Holiday punch is delicious…and full of sugar. Ask for champagne or red wine instead.

40) Arrive fashionably late – Sneak in a small, healthy, fiber filled meal before heading out for the evening. This will lessen your chances of overeating.

41) Go shopping! – Ok, twist your arm! Really though, doing several laps around the mall will burn a few extra calories. The festive decorations and sales aren’t so bad either.

42) Make a snowman – This not only gets you moving, but being active in cold weather burns more calories.

43) Offer to watch the kids, and take a shift watching the little ones, like toddlers who can’t sit still for a minute. They’ll keep you on your feet, which results in more calories burned and away from the temptations in the kitchen.

44) Suggest a potluck to friends and family – You’ll be able to bring your own healthy items.

45) Make a special request – There’s nothing wrong with telling the hostess that you’ve got dietary requirements and would appreciate it if she set aside a portion without salt, oil, butter, etc. Any good hostess would be more than happy to accommodate their guests.

46) Offer to drive people home – Talk about keeping that high calorie alcohol drinking under control. If you volunteer to be the DD, you’ll save lives and calories!

47) Walk after dinner – Take a stroll around the block after the main course. You’ll get your digestive system working, burn some calories, and more than likely, skip dessert.

48) Say yes to after dinner espresso – Caffeine is an appetite suppressant. Ask for a cup of Joe before deciding on dessert. If you add sugar free sweetener you could knock out those sugar cravings entirely.

49) Eat raw when available – Fiber keeps our tummies full. Fill up on fiber rich foods before dinner.

50) Eat slowly – You should be doing this all the time, but eating slowly prevents you from over doing it. It can take about 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal from your stomach that it’s full. It’s not a race, take your time!

2 Bonus Tips:

51) Be last in line – If you wait to fix your plate, chances are all the heavy hitting favorites will be picked over. If it’s not there, you can’t eat it!

52) If you know that you are easily tempted, choose which parties you will attend, and skip those that are not as important to you, either personally or professionally.

There you have it! 52 different ways to help you take control of your health during the holiday months. Planning ahead and bracing yourself for the food extravaganza that awaits will bring you one step closer to saving your diet from total annihilation. A parting note: It’s important to remember – You are going to mess up. For most of us, it takes a bit of the joy out of festivities when you have to watch what goes into your mouth like a hawk. Chances are, you’ll drink one too many spiked ciders and find yourself elbow deep in mashed potatoes at midnight. If this happens, be kind to yourself and start over the next day. Having an extra slice of your favorite pie isn’t going to kill your progress. Slow it down, maybe, but as long as you can get back into the swing of things quickly, it’ll only represent a temporary setback.

Go out and enjoy your holiday traditions, just don’t let seasonal weight gain be one of them! YOU CAN DO IT!!