How to Avoid Gaining Winter Weight

Most women, and many men, struggle to maintain their weight during the winter months, and many put on as much as twenty pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years.  It doesn’t have to be this way. There are  ways to avoid holiday overindulgence, or to indulge but keep your daily calorie intake down at acceptable levels.

It’s not easy, and it requires a lot of commitment and willpower on your part, but it can definitely be done.

Avoid Weight Gain In Winter Months:

1)    Replace the cookies with healthy snacks

Not many people like granola, but pretzels are always a favourite, and are really low in fat compared to some of the goodies people snack on during Christmas.  Buy baked chips instead of fried ones, and make your own fries if you’re having them. Bake them in the oven instead of deep frying, and you’ll make a much lower-cholesterol side dish than store-bought or deep fried fries.

2)    Frozen yogurt

Frozen yogurt is generally much lower in fat than chocolate or ice-cream, and is quite inexpensive.  Keep a tub in the freezer, and bust it out whenever the urge to dig into cakes and puddings arises.  Have small tasters of Christmas pudding and dessert with your frozen yogurt so you don’t feel like you’re trying to lose weight over the holidays.

3)    Exercise

You know you need to do it, so get out there and get it done.  Even if you’re away from home and on holiday, there’s no excuse to slack.  Try to go out for at least one brisk walk every day, and you’ll not only help to maintain your weight, but you’ll also feel a lot better.  Wait a good hour after eating before any strenuous exercise.

4)    Plan your meals in advance

Choose low-fat alternatives to ingredients, as this will help to keep the calorie content of many of your dishes down.  This can help you to keep your calorie intake at reasonable levels.

5) Refer to this handy calorie counter for Christmas dinner as a reference:

Christmas Dinner:

Roast turkey(90g) = 149 calories, 4g fat

Roast potatoes(85g) = 127 calories, 4g fat

Stuffing(100g) = 231 calories, 15g fat

Bread sauce(45g) = 42 calories, 1g fat

Roast parsnips(90g) = 102 calories, 6g fat

Boiled carrots = 14 calories, 0g fat

Boiled brussels = 32 calories, 1g fat

Gravy(50g) = 17 calories, 1g fat

Cranberry sauce(30g) = 45 calories, 0g fat

Pork sausage(20g) = 62 calories, 5g fat

Bacon(40g) = 135 calories, 11g fat

Total = 956 calories, 48g fat

Side Dishes:

1 slice of Christmas cake(70g) = 249 calories, 8g fat

1 portion of chocolate log (30g) = 101 calories, 3g fat

1 portion of cheese and biscuits = 394 calories, 27g fat

1 portion of mixed nuts (40g) = 243 calories, 22g fat

1 portion Christmas pudding (100g), custard and brandy butter = 587 calories, 22g fat

1 mince pie and double cream = 368 calories, 25g fat

1 glass of mulled wine = 245 calories, 0g fat