Can you really lose weight during the holidays? The short answer is yes. Of course, as I’m sure you can imagine, losing weight during the holidays is not an easy task. Weight loss is one of those constant struggles people deal with every day even when it’s not a holiday. But rest assured, with the right planning, successful weight loss is just a few steps away.
One thing that makes losing weight difficult during the holidays is the fact that so many of our holiday traditions involve or even highlight food. And the featured food is usually not your typical healthy fare that dieters seek. It is important to keep in mind that weight loss becomes more difficult when you feel that you are sacrificing the foods you love. Deprivation is not the answer to surviving the holidays. In fact, it’s a surefire recipe for disaster. A better strategy is moderation. By taking a moderate approach to the holiday offerings, you may not achieve a multiple-pound weight loss, but you can certainly maintain your current weight and perhaps lose a couple of excess pounds along the way.
A good rule of thumb to follow as you’re preparing to attend all those holiday parties is to always eat a substantial but healthy mini-meal before you go. Include some lean protein, whole grains and some fruits or vegetables and you’ll go a long way toward managing your appetite and preventing an all-out binge once you’re at the party. Once you arrive at the party, don’t immediately check out the spread. Concentrate instead on who’s there and the various activities and conversations going on. Go easy on the alcohol and choose the healthiest food selections you can find. You should also give yourself permission to try one or two small treats that look especially appealing to you. Remember that deprivation and successful weight loss do not mix.
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet throughout the holiday season, it is important to include moderate activity as well. The reality is that you will be eating some excess calories and need to burn them off. Walking is probably the easiest way to exercise in general and is definitely the activity of choice when you’re busy. Squeeze in some extra activity by making extra trips to the car with packages when doing your holiday shopping. You might also try to sneak in some extra activity by taking a walk with friends or family members during holiday visits. If it’s cold outside you’ll burn even more calories.
Keep in mind that you don't need to be perfect in order to lose weight and be healthy. And you definitely don’t have to be perfect to maintain your current weight during the holidays. Just remember to practice moderation. A healthy lifestyle has three basic components including knowledge of healthy habits, proper nutrition and adequate exercise. Cover these three bases and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy holiday season.
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Lynn writes articles on a variety of health and fitness topics. For more information, visit Health and Fitness Tools and for a limited time get a free guide to managing holiday stress when you sign up for the site’s free newsletter subscription. |
