Here are 4 tips if you are trying to lose weight before or during the holidays.
When the holidays are approaching, you might be concerned about how much weight you might gain. Perhaps you started a diet during the summer and are doing well, but now the treats and big holiday dinners are causing concern. Or you lost weight in the spring and now all those July 4th and summer barbecues are looming. Don't worry! You can still lose or maintain your weight throughout any holiday season.
Drink Only Water
One of the best ways you can lose weight and continue losing even through the holidays is by drinking more water. The majority of what you drink on a daily basis should be water. We have all heard the 8 cup of water a day rule, right? Another recommendation is to drink half your weight in ounces of water each day. Also try to drink a glass of water before and after any other type of drink. So if you are at a holiday party and want a glass of champagne, drink a full glass of water beforehand. You are not allowed another glass of champagne or wine until you have another glass of water. This helps to limit how much alcohol you end up drinking.
Indulge, But Not Too Much
The problem with wanting to indulge during the holidays is that you feel left out if you can't have treats. If you keep denying yourself too much, you might find yourself on Christmas Eve, (or New Year's Eve, or Labor Day weekend), eating everything in sight because you went without for so long. A good way to remedy this is by letting yourself taste everything, but not over-indulging. If you are at Thanksgiving dinner, have a very small portion of each food item, but not a full portion.
Remove 1/3 of Your Meals Immediately
When you are eating out for the holidays, this is another time when you might indulge a little too much. This can make it really hard to lose weight. If you decide to order something that isn't as light and fit as it could be, separate your meal immediately. Ask for a to-go container when your food is served. Then take 1/3 of the meal and place it in the container. This reduces how much you end up eating. It also lets the meal last longer.
Top Food With Salsa
Instead of putting cheese, sour cream, or guacamole on top of your food, consider adding some salsa. This adds a lot of seasonings and is extremely low in fat and calories. The majority of salsa is just tomatoes, jalapenos and onions, so there isn't much to it.
