32 Sneaky Strategies to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain for La Jolla Residents!
Do not get this wrong, holidays are all about having good moments and indulging with friends and family. Fortunately, you can do that while checking on your pounds.
- Eat before the celebration
Ditch potentially disastrous ideas such as skipping breakfast and/or lunch in the name of saving your appetite for the after party.
- Bring your own foods
Rather than try to figure out what is in every food item at a big party, it is healthier to bring your own packed food.
- Chew slowly
The faster we eat, the less time the brain has to register our fullness. This way you may eat and eat and eat.
- Serve meals restaurant-style
To avoid the temptations that come with seeing a basketful of food next to you, bring only what you need to the table leaving the rest in the kitchen.
- Reduce your plate size
Choosing plates of between 8 and 10 inches instead of 12+ inch plates is a good way to suppress your appetite.
- Choose proteins
Serve up more turkey and ham as well as other foods rich in protein as they are associated with greater satiety.
- Increase your fiber intake
Small portions of fiber-rich legumes will leave you fuller than comparably larger portions of other foods.
- Make room for healthy fats
Not all fats are bad fats. You can get healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, and nuts.
- Incorporate a few veggies
Mixing pureed vegetables such as pumpkin into casseroles or baked goods or sneaking them into potato dishes or pasta will help you avoid obesity.
- Say NO to added sugar
Cookies, pies, and cakes are tempting. But that added sugar can be a disaster. Stick to foods that contain sugar in its natural form.
- Go easy of simple carbs
The body tends to break simple carbohydrates (such as white bread) faster resulting in a spike in blood sugar.
- Say NO when you think you’re full
Grandma will always encourage you to shove seconds onto an already clean plate. You must learn to say NO.
- Go slow on grabbing seconds
Before grabbing a second or getting to the dessert table, give the brain some time to rest by taking a walk.
- Get toss-away Tupperware
You should always encourage friends to pack and carry away the surplus.
- Freeze the leftovers
Stashing leftovers away from sight saves eliminates the temptation of getting a bite every few minutes.
- Turn off the TV
Eating while watching TV has been linked to poor eating habits
- Chew a lot of gum
Chewing gum generally keeps you busy, lowering cravings and helping avoid the calories.
- Beware of temptation
It’s proven that the closer you are to food that you can see or smell, the more likely you are to consume it.
- Give in to cravings
Be careful about this. You don’t have to binge. But completely resisting the temptation may only make the food more attractive.
- Don’t fall into the trap of booze
Alcohol adds unnecessary calories to our diets and often makes us eat irresponsibly.
- Sip before and during meals
Sipping water before a meal helps with general weight loss. Sipping between meals allows the brain to register fullness.
- Go for the tall, thin glass
It’s funny, but yes, research shows that people tend to pour less liquid in tall, thin glasses.
- Drink plenty of water
The more water you drink, the fuller you feel, and the fewer calories you’re likely to consume.
Improve your movement and mindset
- Set realistic goals
Honestly, you’re not dropping 3 dress sizes by February. So, you need to be more realistic in your New Year resolutions.
- Tell yourself “I can control my eating.”
Even if it feels silly, finding positivity in your eating habits can help you check on weight gain.
- Avoid stress
You know that stress can increase craving. The rest of these tips will help with de-stressing;
- Meditate
Through techniques such as muscle relaxation, you can learn how you may be eating to satisfy your emotions.
- Get enough sleep
Sleeping right has been proved to help shave off pounds while minimizing weight gain.
- Do not limit yourself
Yes, don’t think only of the gym when you think of cutting the pounds. Find ways to use your body weight and consider a home gym.
- Engage in functional exercises
This refers to working multiple muscles at the same time. The movement promotes muscle gain which increases metabolism.
- Exercise with a partner
Science suggests it’s more rewarding to exercise with a partner.
- Move around more than you eat
This festive season, forget the lift and take the stairs as you increase the number of steps you take in a day. Hikes, cycling, and snow sessions are other possible sources of exercises.
Of course sneaking in a few visit to The La Jolla Sports Club is also a great strategy for keeping your metabolism firing on high thru December!
Remember that these tips will work best when observed, not singly, but as a unit.
