By Dr. Kivette Parkes
For many people, the extra holiday pounds have become the norm. We go through the holiday season eating all our favorite goodies then vow to lose the extra weight in the New Near. Sadly, the New Year weight loss doesn’t always happen as planned and before long, its time for another holiday celebration. What if you could stop that cycle?
Interested? Here are a few tips that I have found helpful to prevent holiday weight gain and actually promote weight loss. The trick is being proactive. This is essential because all self-discipline usually goes out the window as soon as you sit at the table looking at the wonderful feast prepared just for your enjoyment.
Just think, you could be thinner by the New Year!
- Burn, Burn, Burn! – The weeks leading up to the holidays, increase your activity. If you have a set workout routine, pump up the intensity. If you are not so active, get moving. A good goal is 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4 times per week.
- As the holidays get closer, watch what you eat. The days leading up the big feast should be filled with fruits, vegetables and lots of water. Try not to over indulge in sugar or refined carbohydrates and decrease your portion sizes. Eat a small meal or snack every 2-3 hrs and never allow yourself to get very hungry. This will put your body into a fat burning mode and you may actually lose a few pounds ahead of time!
- Eat well on the big day – This is most important. Have small meals and snack high in protein on the day of the big feast. Drink plenty of water and make sure you are not hungry when you sit down to eat. This will prevent you from over eating.
- Have a salad before the big meal then, fill up on protein. Salads made of green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce and kale will allow you to enjoy a large volume of food without extra calories. For the main course, eat more protein than carbohydrates in order to stay feeling fuller for longer.
- Eat Desert! – You have worked hard and prepared well. Celebrate the holidays with your loved ones and have a slice of pumpkin pie or whatever it is that you desire! Getting rid of the sense of deprivation that often comes from skipping desert will allow you to feel empowered and you will be less likely to overindulge.
For more information on weight management, or help achieving your ideal weight, Call The Natural Weight Loss Center of the Carolinas for a complimentary consultation. We do appointments in person or by phone.
