Thanksgiving marked the start of the holiday season, and the weeks ahead are filled with excitement, hectic schedules, and often, way too much food! Although enthusiastic for this special time of the year, you may also worry about weight gain. So many of my clients do. But this does not have to be the season of excess pounds on the scale if you plan ahead.
The weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day are often the hardest to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. There is the constant temptation of sweets, treats, and too much food.
I want to share a few tips with you that have helped me in the past to stay on track between now and the end of the year so you can maintain your weight or shed some!
Here are the 6 Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Tips:
1. Don’t show up hungry for any party, event, or gathering. Make sure you eat healthy before you go to any holiday get-together. There will be the temptation of all sorts of unhealthy foods. Eat a small meal or snack full of fiber and lean protein before heading out the door. A few good choices are a salad with a sprinkling of cheese, raw vegetable sticks with hummus, or a half-nut butter sandwich on whole-grain bread.
2. Drink some water before you go and alternate higher-calorie drinks like alcoholic beverages, eggnog, or hot chocolate with water while you are at the holiday party. Drinks can have a lot of hidden calories, so watch out.
3. Fill your plate with some good foods first. When you arrive, if hors d’oeuvres are set out and/or dinner is buffet-style, peruse your options before making your selections. Choose high-fiber foods such as raw vegetables, but go easy on the dip. A handful of mixed nuts is very filling and high in nutritional value. If available, take a plateful of salad with a low-fat dressing and enjoy any fresh fruit to your heart’s content.
4. Eat several small meals a day. This old tip holds especially true during the holiday season. Many think we should skip meals to indulge in one large holiday dinner. This is a poor strategy which will set you up for failure. Don’t starve yourself all day. Most importantly, start your day with a healthy breakfast and ensure you have some healthy portable snacks available as you rush through your busy days. You can enjoy your holiday more by stabilizing your blood sugar, and you will probably consume fewer calories overall if you have fueled yourself properly throughout the day. You don’t want to spend the day being grumpy from not eating for hours or be the first ready for a nap after overeating.
5. Use the busy shopping season to burn some extra calories. As tempting as shopping online is, if you have the time, walk away from the computer and head to the mall. Park a little further away, or take your time and do a round of window shopping all through the mall before you buy. Every few extra steps that you take count. Consider wearing a pedometer or fitness tracker for additional motivation to get more walking in.
6. Take some time to relax. The holidays can be a very stressful season if we let them. Many tend to overeat or self-medicate with food when stressed. Work in some extra time just for you. Sit in front of the fire with a good book or your favorite magazine, get a massage, take a bath, or go for a walk. Do whatever works for you to calm you down and help you de-stress. 
Above all, enjoy the holidays, and remember they are not only about food but, more importantly, about family and friends spending quality time together. Treat yourself to some new holiday-scented candles, listen to your favorite tunes, or go for a drive through a lit-up neighborhood this year. Have fun during this special time of the year, and enjoy that occasional cookie.
Thanks for carving out time to read this post! Ready to breeze through the holiday season without the extra pounds? Unlock my free report, A Dozen Ways to NOT Gain Weight During the Holiday Season, packed with easy-to-apply tips to keep you feeling your best—without missing out on the festivities.
Wishing you a joyful (and guilt-free) holiday season!
