Weight Loss and the Holidays -They Really Can Go Together

By Sarah Rivas


There is no harder time for dieting than the winter time holiday season. All of those big family get togethers and parties with friends and coworkers. It's very hard to give much thought to healthy and moderate eating when everyone is putting all kinds of sweets and goodies in front of you every day. It's easy to just throw up your hands and put your whole diet on hold for this season. They think they can make up for it over the course of the rest of the year. If you're looking for an alternative, though, you can find them. If you take the advice that follows, you'll find it's not as hard as you thought to get through the holidays without adding any extra pounds or inches to your waistline.

One of the most practical things you can do when you know you are about to go to a holiday party with lots of tempting foods is to eat something before you leave the house. Don't go overboard, just have a snack containing lean protein or vegetables before going to the party. The point is not to stuff yourself at home, but only to eat a small amount. Even a light snack can help you control your appetite when you arrive at the party, and help you keep your consumption of fattening foods down. You can then nibble on various treats without overdoing it.

You have to come to terms with the reality that losing weight over the holidays (or even maintaining your weight) isn't easy. Instead of trying to fight things and deny the existence of all of those temptations, accept that you are going to have to face those temptations and try to come up with constructive and healthy ways to deal with them. Some people find that talking to someone such as a doctor, therapist or someone else in a medical or psychological field helps them improve their ability to resist the food that cause them problems. You'll be surprised by how much of it is more psychology than physiology.

Just like with every other time of year, you will have a much easier time with your weight loss efforts during the holidays if you work with a friend. This can be anyone who is trying to reduce their weight, whether a friend, neighbor or co-worker. You can attend holiday parties together and keep an eye on each other, or call each other up for motivation. You and your partner can make sure neither of you abandons your efforts. You'll find that overcoming all the holiday temptations and pushing forward towards your goals is a lot less difficult with a partner.

Not gaining weight over the holidays, or even losing some takes some concentration but you can do it if you're determined. We tend to believe that the holidays are a time for gaining weight, but they do not have to be. You don't have to skip the holiday feasts everyone enjoys or even the occasional treat, as long as you keep your diet and exercise program in mind most of the time.




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