Stressing out about eating a few snacks or calorie-dense meals is the fastest way to ruining your holidays. You have to realize that you wonβt cause any irreversible damage if you just chill out and enjoy the food, all the while being mindful. A little bit of extra weight is inevitable when youβre eating and drinking more, but just relax and enjoy yourself, you can always balance it out. When youβre stressing, youβre bound to eat more nervously and more aggressively, so step one is to calm down.
2. Spoil your appetite
Being invited to holiday parties usually means snacking on pretzels, chips, and a cheese platter – all the while drinking tons of alcohol. The smartest thing you can do on those days is to spoil your appetite by eating a small high-protein snack around an hour before the party. This will ensure that you donβt go in there starving and attack the buffet, but will make you choose the things you really are craving. It will also keep your blood sugar balanced and curb intense cravings.
3. Donβt binge
Even if youβre letting a bit loose, donβt go off the rails. This means, no binging. Itβs good to enjoy a dinner, drinks, and desserts, but thatβs no excuse to wake up in the middle of the night for thirds and fourths, have some self control and your body will thank you after. Remember, itβs okay to eat a cookie, but that doesnβt mean you have to eat 12.
4. Pick your indulgences carefully
There is usually an overload of delicious food at holiday dinners, parties, and events; but sometimes, itβs not all worth it. Donβt waste calories shoveling bread rolls into your mouth, save your appetite and invest in holiday treats that you wonβt be able to have at other times.
5. Get moving
This is a no-brainer but if you get a quick workout in, it would help tremendously. Even if you donβt have time to go to the gym, having a quick yoga session, a jog, or even just a brisk walk is a good thing.
6. Stay hydrated
Most of the weight we gain during holidays is not fat, but just water weight due to the high salt and sugar foods we eat. To keep the bloat away, make sure youβre drinking your eight glasses of water per day, and even more if youβre drinking a lot of alcohol!
