Most of us will experience a boost in our waistlines around the holiday season. Right after that Halloween candy sugar-rush is over we indulge ourselves on turkey and all the fixings. Then right after that, we party it up with Christmas dinners and then on to the New Year’s Eve feast.
Needless to say, this four-month period can really pack on the pounds.
If you’re interested in how to lose holiday weight gain, then there are a few things you can do. Some of the measures are preemptive, obviously, and some involve working hard after the fact to shed those pounds.
Tips to Lose Holiday Weight Gain
1. Showing Smart Restraint
Yeah, we’d all love it if some miracle cure came along and magically showed us how to lose holiday weight gain. But that doesn’t exist. The truth of the matter is that you’re going to need to show a little restraint and approach your holiday meals wisely.
First and foremost, you shouldn’t deny yourself anything. This can lead to some serious temptation which could lead to binging. Instead, just be smart about what you eat. Aim for more proteins and fewer carbohydrates. Try to avoid those processed, prepackaged foods and go with real-deal home-cooking.
Holiday meals are certainly tasty, but they do not necessarily have to be unhealthy. Go heavier on the proteins and lighter on the desserts. You can still enjoy the meals without overindulging.
2. Cooking Healthier
A big part of holiday cooking relies on cream, butter, oils, sugar, etc. Well, you can cut back in some of these areas and cut back on the fat.
For example: that deep-fried turkey is in style right now, but grilling a boneless, skinless turkey breast on the grill after a marinade will give you bigger flavor with less fat.
Sugar substitutes used in some dessert recipes make a guilt-free dish – try it!
Going with margarine instead of butter and low-fat milk instead of cream in that mac-n-cheese and those mashed potatoes will make a world of difference, and you won’t be sacrificing any flavor.
3. Freshness is Key
There are hundreds of different ideas you can employ to get some fresh fruits and veggies into your holiday diet. Instead of that carb-loaded bread stuffing, you can replace some of that bread with apples. Instead of a heavier dish, you can opt for fresh Brussels sprouts. Any fruit or vegetable is better for you than a greasy, carb-laden alternative.
4. Move It or Gain It
When it comes to knowing how to lose holiday weight gain, it’s all about the work you’re willing to put in. In other words, you’ll have to do a little bit of exercising every day.
Try this: take a few 20-minute walks per day during the holiday season. Take the dog out to play in the snow. Walk around the yard and rake the leaves. Be active and burn off those calories so they don’t become fodder for fat storage!
5. Hydration
Drinking ample water and staying properly hydrated is good for your weight-loss efforts for a few reasons. Water will help you lose fat during the holidays in part by allowing you to feel fuller. Before every meal, drink a large glass of water and then exercise portion control. You’ll find that you’ll fuller faster and for longer.
Cold water also has a great effect on your body’s thermogenic system. This will heat your body temperature up and cause more calories to burn off, meaning you can lose more weight. And since your liver can aid in breaking down that fat instead of aiding your kidneys, proper hydration attacks fat from all angles.
6. Fiber
It’s always a good idea to eat foods high in fiber around the holidays. Foods packed with fiber will fill you up a lot quicker and you’ll also receive far fewer calories. Fiber will also aid in digestion and be better for your overall health.
7. No Stress
The holidays, although supposedly a happy time, can cause some people to become completely stressed out. Your body releases a hormone called cortisol to deal with stress, and this could aid in weight gain, and you’re far more likely to shovel food into your mouth without caring when you’re stressed out. You’ll do anything to feel better, and this can lead to a cycle that causes your waistline to explode. Certainly no way to lose fat, obviously.
8. Proper Rest
Apart from getting the proper amount of exercise, which you should always do, you should also make sure that you’re getting plenty of rest around the holidays. A well-rested body is a fat-burning body, and sleep can also alleviate some of that stress.