Making the Most of the Holidays Without Stacking On the Weight

You can�t enjoy the holidays if you set out with the mindset that you are going to avoid all the holiday treats that are offered. The holiday season is joyful for a number of reasons, and one of these is all of the great food on offer. So your best option is to have just a little of all those foods that you most enjoy; enough so that your craving is satisfied but no more.

Keep up the Exercise

Over the holiday period you often feel that there isn�t enough time to do all the things you have to do. What with work, shopping and the various special events you have to attend, your exercise program, which you have worked ever so hard to establish might well get forgotten. Whatever else is happening in your week, you need to ensure that you make time for your exercise program and for yourself. All those extra calories which get consumed during the holiday season need to be burned off, and it�s important for your good health that you achieve this.

Restrict Alcohol Intake

Many holiday occasions include alcohol as a large part of the celebrations. If this is the case with the event you plan to attend, then a good piece of advice is to restrict your own alcohol intake. Often people feel that if it�s a party, you can let your hair down and drink all you want to. This is an irresponsible view, however, because it�s bad for your health and also for your plan to lose weight. One small glass of an alcoholic mixed beverage contains 250 to 400 calories. In addition, when you drink, your inhibitions are lowered, and this makes you more likely to do things that you wouldn�t do when sober, such as eating a whole cheesecake.

Fill up on Healthy Foods

If you get invited to a holiday celebration or dinner party, then of course it�s alright to eat. But a good idea is to fill your plate two thirds full with healthy foods, such as whole grains, vegetables and proteins. If you fill up on these good foods, then you are less likely to fill up with fat laden foods such as carbohydrates and gravy.

Just One Fill Up

People eat at social events often go for seconds or even third helpings of food. If others are doing this, it�s very easy to do just as they are. However, you should try not to give in to the temptation. Fill one plate with food and then eat your food slowly. Enjoy the fact that you aren�t going to eat huge amounts of food, and yet you can still feel good.

Holidays are always about fun, food and family. Be aware of the choices that surround you when it comes to food, and you could avoid the bulge that holidays often bring.