Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The holidays are back and it is indeed the best time of the year. Its time to rejoice, sit back and enjoy what Christmas and the New Year has to offer. Holiday weight loss is very unlikely. Instead go for weight maintenance. Here are 10 simple tips to maintain your weight while enjoying the holidays.

Tip 1 – Watch What You Mix Alcohol With

It’s obviously not practical to ask complete abstinence from alcohol although alcohol does halt fat burning. Avoid taking too much fatty or calorie dense food with alcohol. Since alcohol  stops fat burning, all the added calories from fatty and calorie dense food will be stored as fat. Take more protein instead.

Tip 2 -  Avoid Second Helpings

It may be tempting but just fill your plate once. The challenge could be that people lose track of the number of helpings they have taken and it could be more than two.

Tip 3 – Eat Dessert an Hour After Lunch or Dinner

There is no point in advising you against eating dessert as that will take the fun out of the holidays. Instead allow for and hour after lunch or dinner before you take dessert. This ensures that you do not take too many calories at one go. Taking too many calories at one go will cause excess calories to be stored as fat.

Tip 4 – Continue Exercising

The objective is to have minimum weight gain. It helps to keep the metabolism revving by exercising. It will also make you feel less guilty when you eat the holiday goodies.

Tip 5 – Be Aware of What You Are Eating

Try not to munch unnecessarily. Eating sweets and desserts the whole day is bound to lead to fat storage. Eat everything that you yearn for but do it in moderation. Finish the day by being content with the food you ate and not being sick of it because you are over stuffed.

Tip 6 – Plan Your Meals Around Your Parties

If there is a party at a certain time of the day, ensure that all the other meals in the day are healthy and in moderation. If you know that you are going to bust your diet at the party, at least ensure that the rest of the day was not a binge.

Tip 7 – Get Enough Sleep

In the midst of all the partying, ensure that you get adequate sleep. Lack of sleep will raise cortisol levels which does not help with weight.

Tip 8 – Drink Plenty of Water

In the excitement of the holidays, we may not find time to drink enough water. Do keep track of the amount of water that you are drinking. Be properly hydrated throughout the day. Be properly hydrated especially if you are going to consume alcohol.

Tip 9 – Have Your Regular Meals

Holiday meals usually go haywire. Do ensure that you at least have a breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try your best not to skip any meals.

Tip 10 – Get Back to Your Routine Immediately After the Holidays Are Over

Do not prolong your holiday eating habits beyond the holidays. Clearly define the date when you will be back on a regular healthy diet again. Make this promise to yourself and keep it.

Last but not least, enjoy your holidays. Follow these simple guidelines and you should be able to keep your weight in check. This is the best time of the year. Don’t let the weight scales take away the joy of the holidays. The team from Correct Weight Loss would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

All pictures courtesy of stock.xchng