According to U.S. News, Americans are expected to gain an average of 5 pounds every holiday season.
We're heading into the holiday season, which means there will be many family obligations and traveling involved. We are surrounded by desserts, candy, and all other kinds of delicious goodness.
Because of that, it doesn't come as a surprise that people gain weight during the holidays. With so many different family gatherings going on at once, it can even become quite stressful for certain people.
I don't know about you, but overstuffing myself with food does not feel good afterward.
I crash, want to immediately fall asleep, and talk to no one.
The holidays should be a happy, exciting time of year where we feel energetic and great about ourselves, just as we would any other time of year.
1. Eat before you go.
Eating a healthy, fiber-rich food helps you stay satiated longer, and feel more satisfied throughout the day. By doing this, you won't be starving and overstuff yourself during family dinners.
It's so easy to think that we won't overeat as long as skip meals the entire day until the family dinner, but that is not the case.
It'll be harder to mindfully eat, which is very important for all meals. You'll be so hungry by the time you get to the dinner, and you might even be a bit grumpy.
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2. Plan your workouts.
With it getting colder outside, many people stay bundled inside in their warm, heated house. People are skipping workouts, eating warmer foods which usually can be loaded with more calories and fat.
Get your workout done earlier in the day, which has numerous benefits in itself.
If there's a snow day or the weather is hazardous outside, that's why YouTube is for! I watch Fitness Blender for strength training workouts and Yoga with Adriene for yoga. They're both free and have videos for beginners and experts.
3. Don't overeat, seriously!
I'm sure most of you hear this all the time, but never fully understand the consequences overeating has. No one feels good after eating until they're overstuffed.
Eat until you're 80% full. Instead of plopping a whole bunch of food onto your place, grab smaller portions, go back to get more food if you're still hungry, and eat mindfully.
Fill up with fiber-rich foods, foods containing vegetables, fruits, certain grains, and more.
Related article: 9 Easy Ways To Lose A Pound A Week
4. Grab a Fitbit.
A Fitbit can motivate you to walk and run more, sleep better, lose more calories, and a ton more.
You can enter challenges with your friends which will motivate you to be even more active each day.
My Fitbit also alerts me when someone is calling me, which comes in handy when I'm on a run. If you're the type of person who likes having accountability, a Fitbit watch will really come in handy. The app can help you track your water intake, food, workouts, steps, sleep patterns, and more.
Related article: My Honest Fitbit Review
5. Make a dish and bring it to your family event.
Make a healthy version of your favorite meal. It's quite easy, especially with how many ingredients can easily be swapped for healthier ingredients these days.
Cook a dish such as a sweet potato casserole, butternut squash soup or simply glaze some carrots and onions.
Not sure what to make? Check out my healthy recipes for weight loss Pinterest board to get some inspiration.
6. Don't skip meals when you feel hungry, it can lead to overeating.
A lot of people do this and assume that this will be good for them by the time they get to their family dinner.
I used to do this when I was younger and it only led me to overeat and stuffing myself with so much food that I would pass out afterward.
However, studies have shown that intermittent fasting can actually be really beneficial for you. So, take #6 with a grain of salt as everyone is different.
Related article: Healthiest Foods For A Tight Budget
7. Drink enough water.
I always thought I drank enough water until I actually tracked how much I was drinking.
Track your water intake for 3 days – you'll be surprised by how little you're actually drinking.
We often mistake dehydration with hunger, which is why it's important to drink water throughout the day.
You can grab a fruit infuser here.
8. Eat what you'd like for the day, not the entire season.
How do you feel after you eat 3 large plates of food? Probably not so good, I'd assume. Think about how you're going to feel after a meal.
In the end, remember that it's the holiday season! Indulge in the foods you love on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. I always recommend not overeating since that will only lead you to feel lethargic and moody.
Related article: 7 Books To Become A Healthier And Happier You
Don't get too hard on yourself and have fun this Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whichever holidays you celebrate! 🙂
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How do you stay healthy during the holiday season?
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Great tips! I think drinking enough water is an often overlooked tip for staying healthy. I can always tell when I start feeling under the weather or start to get a headache it’s time for more water!
Yep, and drinking more water helps your skin, too!