Tips to Battling the Bulge Over the Holidays

by Stephanie Hamm on November 2nd, 2018 | 1 Comment »

The holiday season is among us. Some of us are knee deep in snow, others are up to our eye balls in gift wrapping, while others are buried in the stress of planning holiday meals, baking cookies and trying to figure out how to avoid those extra pounds that tend to sneak up on us somewhere between dinner and dessert every year.

5 Ways to Avoid Extra Holiday Weight

Here are simple tips for finding the balance between celebration and glad tidings without overindulging.

1. Plan ahead. Having a game plan in place can do wonders for you. Not only does it keep you organized but you can also strategize ways to keep healthy foods on your plate and fist fulls of chocolates off it. If you know you won't have control over the food that is served, have a small, healthy snack, such as raw veggies and hummus before dinner. That way, when the wonderful aroma's hit your system, you'll be more likely to eat with your brain, not your eyes.

2. Schedule Your Workout. Treat them like appointments. You don't skip appointments so if the time is scheduled, you won't be as inclined to push it aside or forget about it. Take it a step further and post it on your calendar or family to-do list. That way everyone knows that you won't be available for those set times. And the added accountability will help keep you from skipping out.

3. Make "Me" Time. As busy as you are, as demanding as this time of year is, it is critical to take some "you" time every day. Even 5 or 10 minutes of uninterrupted time can do wonders for your stress and mental well-being. If all you have is a few minutes, take it. Find a quiet place and do some deep breathing. You're less likely to overindulge if your stress levels are controlled.

4. Don't Deprive Yourself. Rather, exercise moderation. It is perfectly ok to enjoy the holiday food and drink. Just don't go overboard. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so enjoy yourself. A great tip is to put a spoonful of each treat food on your plate. That way you get a taste of all the goodness without overloading your body with too many empty calories.

5. Be Proactive. Not sure if there is going to be healthy alternatives at dinner? Offer to bring a dish with you. This is a great way to ensure that there will be something healthy on the table and it's one less dish your gracious hosts have to make. You might even surprise a few people with how tasty and flavourful clean foods can be.

And most importantly, always remember that the holidays are about great friends and family, not simply great food.

Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Stephanie is a married mother to a beautiful baby boy. When she is not blogging about her health and fitness journey, she is chasing after her son, growing her photography business and cheering on anyone and everyone working to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. You can also follow Stephanie on Twitter and Facebook.