The Director Weighs In on Holiday Weight Loss

It’s no secret that one of the hardest times to try to lose weight is during the holiday season. Whatever you do and wherever you are, food always seems to be the main focus.

If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking, “How on earth will I maintain better yet lose weight during a time when temptation surrounds me?”

If you find yourself struggling with the holidays and trying to avoid holiday weight gain, consider making it a goal to manage your weight through the festive season rather than lose it. It’s a grand alternative to putting on unwanted, extra pounds. And who knows – if you work extra hard at it, you may even lose a few and be that much more ahead of the game for those New Year’s resolutions!

Putting your focus on maintaining a balance of regular, physical activity and food intake is one of the healthiest approaches to the holidays because it reduces the emphasis on food. Consider the following tips to help you manage your weight this season:

• Plan your celebrations around activities – not food. For example, instead of riding around in your car looking at lighting displays, park and walk in the neighborhood. Also consider starting a new tradition such as a family ice skating adventure.
• Focus on quality, not quantity. Remember to keep your portions in proportion and only sample one or two special dishes at each celebration.
• Eat slowly. Give you brain about 20 minutes to realize that it’s full before getting up for second helpings!
• Schedule planned, daily activity into your routine. Activity helps prevent weight gain by burning extra calories, suppressing your appetite and helping with stress. Aim to burn about 2,000 calories a week through exercise.
• Don’t starve yourself before or after a big celebration. Doing so will cause you to overindulge at the next meal. Consider drinking a glass of water before eating to make you feel more full.
• Spend little time in the kitchen. If you’re not in the kitchen cooking or being in front of food, you’ll be less likely to give into temptation. Think “out of sight, out of mind.”
• Learn to say no. Many times, you feel obligated to try everyone’s dish for fear of hurting feelings. Learn to say no politely and tell people you’re full!
• Plan ahead. Figuring out what you will eat and how much of it ahead of time is a great way to cut back on calories. Consider preparing a low-calorie dish for the celebration to give yourself a healthy option.
• Get adequate sleep. Being tired contributes to your mental ability to resist temptations and puts a toll on your metabolism.

Remember that the holidays are for cherished times with family and friends, and this is accomplished through the socializing part – not the food. If you can learn to plan effective strategies to help you manage your weight through the season, you will enjoy the holidays and achieve your goal at the same time!

Happy Holidays!