Several recent studies have shown that holiday weight gain is much less than previously thought. Most people gain only 1 pound over the holidays. And among people that are already overweight, the average holidays gain is 5 lbs. The alarming thing is that studies also have shown that most of this holiday weight is never taken off. I don't need to tell you how gaining a pound a year will eventually add up. Here are some tips on how to enjoy partying during the holidays, and start the new year weighing a little less than you do today! Don't starve all day so you can pig out later. Have a small healthy meal, like a bowl of soup, before you go. When you arrive, head for the protein and veggies and eat until satisfied. You can usually find ham, turkey, roast beef, meat balls, smoked salmon, or cocktail shrimp. And there is almost always a platter of raw veggies and dip. I usually stay away from the dip for two reasons. You don't know what's in it - ingredients or germs! If appropriate, offer to bring a healthy dish. There will be others attending who will appreciate that you did. Use a dessert plate. It will keep you from overloading and psychologically make you feel like you've eaten more. Focus on food quality not quantity. Take your food, sit down and really savor it. It's very easy to stand, talk, eat and barely notice, appreciate or enjoy what you've eaten. Only eat the things you truly love. Have one dessert you will really, really love, and it will be more satisfying than grazing on cookies and potato chips all evening. Go home from a party empty handed, unless the hostess is giving you a plate of smoked salmon! Don't bring home a tin of cookies or half a pie. Be mindful of what you drink at parties and dinner gatherings. Liquid calories are sneaky plus they don't even curb your appetite. A glass of eggnog can contain 500 calories! Don't drink diet soda which increases your appetite. Don't drink anything with high fructose corn syrup. That would mean regular sodas, most fruit juice drinks such as cranberry juice, and sweet mixed drinks, like a whiskey sour or margarita. By all means have a lite beer, a glass of wine, a Bloody Mary, or a shot of spirits in a glass of club soda. Over drinking leads to mindless eating. It's one of the worst things you can do at a party. Get a little tipsy and you'll stop keeping track of how much you've eaten! If you have more than one alcoholic drink, alternate it with a large glass of water. This not only keeps you from drinking too much, it keeps you hydrated and less likely to have a hangover in the morning. You don't have to torture yourself by watching what you eat on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eat as much as you want of whatever you want. No need to eat yourself sick, of course. But don't worry - you won't set your weight loss goals back. Did you know your body's fat burning hormones are highest after a big bash? So having a pig out once in a while, no more than once a week, can actually speed up metabolism for several days? So make use of them. The next day or two focus mainly on low fat meat, chicken, turkey, or fish and veggies. Make a big pot of turkey vegetable soup. Clean your house or take a long walk. Or do your Christmas shopping (or returns) and burn some calories carrying large shopping bags around the mall. You may be surprised. You may find that by strategic eating, you even dropped a pound or two over the holidays!
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