From the article: Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
A little weight gain over the holidays is something many of us struggle with. There's so much great food to tempt us and so little time to exercise, but I know many of my healthy readers have found ways to avoid weight gain. Help us keep our waistlines in check this year by sharing your tips for avoiding holiday weight gain. Share your tips
Shopping!
- Don't go food shopping when your hungry, and write a shopping list before and stick to it! And, any high calorie foods such as chocolate or chips need to be justified - why you need them? Also plan meals in advance so you don't end up buying stuff you don't need! (probably saves money this way too!) =)
- —Guest Lizzie babes
housework and exercise
- good!You more than likely tidy up your house every day, sometimes more. Combine strength training workouts with this chore. Sweep the kitchen, lift the weight, empty the trash, twenty wall pushups, and so forth. It kills two birds with one stone and because time is often a factor, you find yourself going faster which helps with cardio as well.
- —Guest punctual
Run before Bedtime
- Go for a quick brisk run about thirty minutes before you go to bed, this is a refreshing way to end the day and it keeps your metabolism working as you sleep. This is great for losing those few extra pounds!
- —Guest Kyle Wilk
Take a long walk
- I try to make sure I block out at least an hour to take a walk on days when I'm cooking a big dinner. I enjoy the food more if I've gotten out for some fresh air and I'm getting some exercise so I don't have to feel so guilty about the calories. It may not help me lose weight, but at least it minimizes the chances I will gain weight.
- —Guest SusanH
Healthy Snack
- Eat a healthy snack before a big holiday party. it will help to control the craving and over eating.
- —Guest Sadhna Murthy
Portions and power shopping
- I try to load my plate up with the less bad for you holiday foods, like plain green beans and white meat. Then just get a small portion of the more fattening foods so I get the taste of the food and don't feel deprived. If I feel deprived, that's when I sneak into the kitchen and eat a whole pie! Also, I try to power walk (as much as possible) in the mall while shopping. Dodging all the meandering families is almost like playing the old Galaga video game in real life!
- —Guest Angela
Load up on protein
- If you expect to be in an all day eating frenzy, try to start off with high protein items. You'll feel full sooner and long and your metabolism will appreciate it.
- —Guest David
PORTION CONTROL
- Eat smaller portions and go back for seconds instead of piling your plate full two times. Eat a variety of foods. Limit your desserts – instead, try sampling a few with very small portions instead of sampling 1 of everything; especially if there are 6 or more desserts. Lighten up and enjoy the big food day with a conscious effort to avoid over-indulging.
- —Guest LISA W
housework and exercise
- You more than likely tidy up your house every day, sometimes more. Combine strength training workouts with this chore. Sweep the kitchen, lift the weight, empty the trash, twenty wall pushups, and so forth. It kills two birds with one stone and because time is often a factor, you find yourself going faster which helps with cardio as well.
- —Guest evan1231
