The holiday season is loaded with temptation. There’s cookies and cake everywhere. Thanksgiving is not only a day to be grateful, but also a day to stuff our faces and Santa isn’t the only one who enjoys milk and cookies. People tend to gain weight during the season and then make New Year resolutions to get all the weight off again by going crazy at the gym. But, wouldn’t it be easier if you just didn’t gain the weight in the first place?
It can be easy to lose track of your weight during the winter because we’re all going around in bulky clothing and lose fitting sweaters. If you want to stay on track you can weigh yourself every day at the same time in the morning when you get out of bed and create a log of your weight. It’s normal to fluctuate a few pounds throughout the day, so there’s no need to get obsessive, but staying on track is the first step to maintaining weight during the season.
Another reason we tend to gain weight during the holidays is all the delicious seasonal food and drinks. Maybe you’re regularly a plain coffee drinker, but during the holidays it’s hard for you to resist a white chocolate peppermint mocha. All those extra calories and sugar can add up. Take note of what you’re eating and drinking differently during the season. It might seem like a harmless change but anything out of the ordinary is a likely culprit for weight gain.
There’s also the holiday meals. We love going overboard on Thanksgiving and cooking a meal that could feed 30 for a family of four. Cut down on weight and waste this holiday season by only cooking as much as you and your holiday guests will realistically eat. There’s no need to have leftover turkey sandwiches for a month.
Holiday desserts are highly delicious but they’re also high in calories. You can still enjoy and savor these treats, just don’t overdo it. Take a sampling of small portions of the food and dessert at a holiday party. That way you get to try everything without consuming all the calories. Portions can be the key to keeping your weight down during the holidays.
The holidays should be a time of enjoyment, so don’t be too hard on yourself for eating an extra cookie or two. It’s completely possible to enjoy delicious treats while maintaining your weight. It’s all about balance and control.
