Getting Through The Holiday Season

We are now fully emerged in the Holiday season which means the Holiday treats are all around us.  Although the Holiday season is filled with excessive food and many parties, there are only a few actual days of celebration in the season. This means you still have time this month to be “good”. Think of all the days from now until the next Holiday. Chances are you have one, two, or even three weeks until the next big holiday event. This leaves many days before and between Holidays to eat healthy and workout. If you make these days count, then parties, family get-togethers, and feasts will make little impact on common weight gains this season.

It’s All About Maintaining this Time of Year
Let’s face it, the Holiday season is a near impossible time to lose weight. Unless you sit at home during each party, leave early at family get-togethers, and yell at everyone who offers you a holiday treat, you probably won’t be losing 10 pounds this season. Basically you would have to be Mr. Grinch to lose weight during the Holidays. With many Holiday events coming up, it is a personal victory just to maintain ones weight.

This however still takes work. Here is a sample holiday events calendar with various parties, family functions, common holidays, and yes, your workouts.  

Looks like a fun filled month! This may help you realize there are many days without an event. On these days, focus on eating right and getting your workouts in. If you have a Holiday party at the end of the week, be sure to workout and eat healthy the days leading up to it. This will help reduce weight gain and make you feel deserving of your party.  Writing down your workout plan, will also help you commit to getting them in this month.

The Holiday Party – Moderate Your Intake
You deserve to have a good time at your parties, but control your food and drink intake. Even though, you may have been eating healthy the week prior, this doesn’t mean you can eat anything and everything in sight. Set a goal to moderate your intake on the next Holiday party a week in advance. This will help you keep in mind that each party is not just a “free frawl” of food and drinks.

More Tips on How to Maintain Weight this Holiday Season

Workout the Day of Parties – If you know you might be taking in more calories on the day of a party, workout earlier in the day to minimize any weight gain. Eat light, but do not Skip Meals Before the Big Feast – If you skip meals before eating the big dinner, you are setting yourself up to overeat. Keep it light and avoid sugars to keep your blood sugar stable and minimizing cravings.
Trim the Calories – Skip the some of the “Extras” like, dip, butter, gravy, sauces, and rolls with the main course. Also cut back the snacking on sweets, chips, and nuts. These are notorious for adding unnecessary calories in your diet.
Alternate Alcohol and Water - Aside from making you feel lousy the next day, alcohol will quickly increase your calorie intake and eventually the pounds. Alternate with a bottle of water to keep the calories lower as well as keep you healthier.
Have Healthy Snacks at Work – Instead of going 5 hours with out anything in your stomach but a cup of coffee, have something healthy nearby so you don’t end up starving. Besides making you extremely hungry, going long bouts without eating will create uncontrollable cravings and make it harder to resist Holiday treats around the workplace.

Get motivated to maintain your weight this Holiday season. It will take some effort, but it will be worth it come the new year. 

References:
1. Employers Resource Council (2009, December) Holiday Parties and Festivals. ERC Survey Debriefing. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://www.ercnet.org/research/studies/HolidayParties&Festivities.pdf
2. University of Pittsburgh (2009, December 10). Are holiday and weekend eating patterns affecting obesity rates?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/12/091209163716.htm
3. Methodist Hospital, Houston (2010, November 6). Compulsive eating and the holiday season can lead to serious weight gain. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/11/101105152114.htm

Located on 4193 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 JY Fitness. Expert Personal Trainer Serving Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, and Menlo Park. Weight Loss, Optimal Results, Post-Rehabilitation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition, Downtown San Jose Bootcamp, and Fitness Services.