Holiday Survival Guide
We need a survival guide! During the holiday season it seems everywhere we turn there are tempting foods and drinks—from treats at office parties to our own traditional family favorites. When you add in a busy schedule filled with shopping and get-togethers, you could have a recipe for disaster as far as your scale is concerned.
By following the tips in this holiday survival guide, you really can get through the holidays without gaining weight. It will take some effort, but you will thank yourself a thousand times when January 1st rolls around and you have no regrets!
Your Goal: Maintenance
You want to enjoy the holidays, not be miserable from deprivation. This means that you will allow yourself occasional treats and splurges and keep the scale where it is rather than trying to actually decrease your weight.
There are several ways to accomplish this:
- Don’t skip your workouts. Even a shorter workout is better than no workout at all. You will also be less likely to overeat if you have just sweated through a hard workout!
- Eat breakfast. People who eat a healthy breakfast consume fewer calories throughout the day than those who skip this important meal. For a delicious and nutritious meal that is portable too, choose a Catalyst Meal Replacement Bar or a protein shake made with water or almond milk and high quality whey protein, collagen peptide protein powder, or vegan protein.
- Keep a food diary. Write down every single thing you eat and drink – even if it is only one bite of shrimp cocktail. It is a proven fact that keeping a food journal results in better weight control than not keeping one.
- Monitor your hunger. Never show up at a party or buffet ravenous – you will most certainly overeat. Drink water and have a protein-filled snack before arriving. This will help you to have more self control around the temptations.
- Weigh yourself at least twice each week. If you see the scale start to creep, you can immediately take steps to correct it, such as backing off your calories for a day or two, drinking more water, and adding in a little more exercise.
- Watch your portion size. If you have an idea of how much food you are putting on your plate, you will be less likely to overdo it.
- Deal quickly with leftovers. If you have unhealthy leftovers in your home, you are likely to indulge. Don’t leave them sitting around. Freeze them, give them away, or toss them. It’s not worth the temptation!
- Check in with your future self. Every day, remind yourself that staying in control now will make you a happier and healthier person come January 1. When you succeed, reward yourself with a new outfit or a spa day.
- Go public. Sound scary? It’s supposed to! Let others in your trusted circle know what you are trying to accomplish and ask for their help. This kind of accountability will give you willpower when the cheesecake and fudge start showing up at the office.
You can survive the holidays with no added weight gain. Use the recommendations in this holiday survival guide and keep in mind your vision of what you want to feel like on January 1. It’s going to be a great holiday season!
