In case it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a glance at the clock, Thanksgiving is close. We’re right around the corner from the holiday that brings more food to the tables, and more weight to our bellies, than just about any other. Recent studies have shown that 51 percent of annual weight gain for the average American comes between just before Thanksgiving and just after New Year’s. Surprising? Nah, not really…not at all.
That said, here’s one truth to cling to as tightly as Saran-Wrap over your pies: It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way. You don’t have to put on tons of unnecessary weight over the holiday season. You don’t have to stuff yourself like the turkey you slide into that oven. You can beat it, and it is easier than you think. Here are some pretty simple little ideas from Health.com to keep in your mind as visions of sugarplums dance in your heads this holiday season:
- Downsize Your Sweets - “You just got a two-pound tin of toffee? Put some in the freezer, store four or five pieces for yourself in the cabinet, and give the rest of away.”
- Use A Plate - “Don’t nibble while standing up at a party or decorating the tree. Sit down at a table with your plate so you can focus on your food and keep track of what you’re eating.”
- Mind Your Bites - “Slow down and savor the food’s smell and texture. Many people find they don’t have to eat so much with this approach.”
- Practice Partying - “A lot of people restrict what they eat before the holidays and then overeat when they hit the scrumptious buffet. Instead, eat mindfully for about a week before the holiday bash so you won’t feel deprived and go on a binge.”
Just keep those four simple ideas in your mind when you walk head first into a holiday party filled with bad sweaters and sugary fatty food and you can walk out unscathed. Another helpful tip that I have always lived by: Before you go to any party, of any kind, eat an apple and drink a full glass of cold water. Doing this helps keep your stomach tricked into thinking it needs nothing. That way you can get through the party without stuffing yourself like the turkey you just cooked.
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