Once again, we are in the midst of the time of year when we are surrounded by all kinds of food temptations and holiday celebrations. It is also a time when many of us are feeling more stressed than usual and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done. All of these factors lead many people to gain weight over the next month and then have to make a resolution to lose it in the New Year. By making some efforts to not put on extra pounds during this time, you may just be able to save your New Year’s resolution for something different this year.
One mistake that is easy to make during the Holidays is to keep making exceptions in terms of the foods that we eat. While no one should miss out on a turkey feast, it is helpful to remember that you don’t have a free pass that will keep you from gaining weight. A couple bites of au gratin potatoes never hurt anyone on their own, but when you start to make exceptions about pie and chocolate and other fattening foods on a daily basis, the weight is sure to follow.
To avoid this, be sure to stick to normal portions. A single piece of chocolate can be fine,
while snacking on an entire box of Entenmanns brownies will definitely lead to trouble. Be aware of your biggest problem area, whether it is high calorie alcoholic drinks or pumpkin pie, and the word to remember is limit and portion control; keeping in mind these are meant to be special treats and not an entire meal. Make sure to get in some servings of low fat and low calorie foods, such as vegetables first; and then move on to a single serving of dessert.
Another major problem during this time is overeating. Part of not stuffing yourself, is not to come to a celebration starving to begin with. Continue to eat your normal meals and
proportions. The all too common excuse of saving up room for dinner makes it very easy to eat too much. It also makes you more likely to snack on unhealthy foods. Don’t wait until you are starving to decide to eat. By sticking to a normal routine, it is less likely to binge on all of the desserts.
With stress on the rise during the holiday period, lots of people who usually eat reasonably well suddenly develop problems. They may use food as a stress reliever or they may just feel too busy to eat well. By getting into healthy food habits before this period starts, you will be less likely to have problems during the holiday season.
Remember to take time out for yourself in order to relieve stress. If you need a night at home in the bathtub or on the couch, take it. Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself and keep in mind what your priorities are and how much you can realistically fit into your schedule.