With the holiday season fast approaching, it's easy to fretabout gaining back the weight you've spent significant time andeffort into losing. Here are some tips to help you avoid puttingon much, if any, weight during your holiday celebrations.
1. FILL UP ON MORE SENSIBLE FOODS Foods that are high in fiberor water fill you up quickly and help keep you fromoverindulging on the "bad" stuff. Take an extra scoop ofvegetables and fruit when filling your plate, and by the timeyou finish, you won't have room for the other foods which arehigher in calories and more likely to cause you to gain weight.
2. EAT SMALLER PORTIONS No doubt, everything at the table looksgood, and it's all you can do to keep from filling your plate2-3 times so that you can sample everything. An easy way tocombat this urge is to simply take a smaller portion than younormally would of those dishes you're most interested in,especially belt-bursting desserts. Split a piece of pie or cakewith your spouse, child, or another family member who may bewatching his or her waistline.
3. DRINK AROUND, DURING, AND BETWEEN MEALS Drink a fair amountof water or other unsweetened beverage before each meal, as wellas during and between them. The liquid in your stomach will helptrick your mind into not feeling as hungry, which reduces thetendency to gorge yourself on potentially fattening foods.
4. POSITION YOURSELF AWAY FROM THE SNACKS If you take a seatwithin an arm's reach of the snack table, you're going to have atough time keeping yourself from unconsciously grabbing handfulsof party mix, candies, and the like and picking at them all day.By sitting on the other side of the room, getting to the snacksinvolves a conscious effort into getting up and walking over toget at the snacks.
5. TAKE AN EXERCISE BREAK If the weather permits it, go out andtake a quick walk around the house or block. If your celebrationis taking place in a colder climate, you'll be more inspired toquicken your pace and burn a few extra calories in the process.If the weather is bad, do 10-20 squats, stretches, or otherbrief exercise each time you go to the restroom. You only wantto do just enough to elevate your heart rate, but not break outinto a sweat. Chances are, no one will know what you're doing,and you won't have to feel self-conscious about trying tomaintain your figure.
Finally, if you still manage to put on a few extra pounds, don'tstress over it. If you've been following a sensible diet andexercise plan, the chances are good that any weight you do gainis going to come off shortly after the holidays are over.
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