5 Easy Tips To Avoid Weight Gain During The Holidays

 

If you're worried about gaining weight over the holidays, you're not alone.

The average American gains weight over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Follow these simple holiday diet tips and tricks, and you'll avoid the holiday weight gain that afflicts so many other people.

#1 Drink Lots Of Water

Water is boring, but there is a reason this tip stays around year after year. It works. Adequate water intake keeps your metabolism humming along at a maximum rate and staves off hunger cravings as well.

In fact, many people mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating to quench their thirst. This results in more calories than your body needs and leads to excess pounds.

#2 Increase Your Exercise A Little Bit Every Day

Everyone deserves to indulge in holiday treats. Part of the fun of the holiday season is the amazing treats that are only around at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas.

Accept the fact that you're going to indulge a bit. Enjoy yourself. But make sure you make up for it elsewhere by increasing your exercise.

You don't have to double your exercise time or sweat until you fall off your treadmill. Just increase your exercise time a bit every day. Maybe ten minutes here and fifteen minutes there. It all adds up.

You'll burn off those holiday treats and easily avoid extra weight gain.

#3 Cut Back Where You Can At Other Meals

Did you know that the average number of calories consumed by one person during a typical Thanksgiving dinner is equal to about 2 pounds strictly in terms of calories alone?

But not to worry. All you have to do is make small calorie cutbacks at other meals the week before, and you'll easily make up for the extra calories.       

For example, instead of a huge slice of pecan pie for dessert (approximately 500 calories), why not try some blueberries mixed with low-fat yogurt? Instead of the bag of potato chips you usually indulge in for the big game, why not munch on air-popped, low-fat popcorn?

You can save as much as 500 calories, and you're still having a salty, satisfying snack.

Bottom line: cut back where you can in little ways. You won't miss the little sacrifices, and you can then enjoy your holiday meals guilt-free!

#4 Eat What You Like, But Only A Few Bites

If you absolutely cannot imagine giving up any of your favorite treats this holiday season, give yourself permission to have a bite of everything - but only a bite or two!

#5 Don't Eat After 7:00 p.m.

Experts tell us that the earlier in the day food is eaten, the more likely it is to be burned off. However, when you eat late at night, this food is more likely to be stored as fat.

So if you know you absolutely must have a sweet indulgence during the day, try to have it before noon. Then, towards the end of the day, snack on healthy, lower-carb foods like salads, vegetable broth, fruits, or lean protein.

So try these five tips to avoid holiday weight gain this year. Follow them, and you're guaranteed to save yourself the stress of unwanted weight gain. You may even lose a few pounds. All in time for New Year's Eve!

Click this link to check out some Thanksgiving-inspired designs (and so much more)

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Click this link to check out some Thanksgiving-inspired art (and so much more)