Keep Holiday Gatherings from Leading to Holiday Gain

“Eat, Drink and Be Mindful.” ~ Michelle Weimer

The holidays are certainly meant to be enjoyed and although (thanks to COVID) we may still not be getting together with friends and family as much as we’d like, if you do attend social gatherings, you know they are almost always accompanied by lots of fun holiday food and drinks. But using the excuse of “holidays” to overindulge, can easily lead to unwanted weight gain if you aren’t careful. So it’s important not to let the holidays be an excuse to overindulge so much that you sabotage your healthy lifestyle. You’ll regret it later and find yourself frantically trying to set unrealistic resolutions to get rid of all that extra weight in the New Year.

If you've worked hard this year to achieve weight loss goals or just choose a healthy lifestyle in general, then why put yourself in a position to let those holiday get-togethers cost you extra pounds that leave you back at square one and feeling guilty for letting it happen? Especially when all it takes is a little effort to stay on course and still enjoy yourself...

So how do you do that?

Treat yourself but don't cheat yourself! Eat and Drink MINDFULLY!

It’s okay to enjoy but do it in moderation. Be selective about what you are going to splurge on and choose wisely. Try to pick smart foods at parties and perhaps volunteer to bring a dish so that you know there will be a healthy choice there to eat. Another good tip for holiday gatherings is to eat a healthy meal before going out. If you do that instead of waiting until you are famished to eat, you’ll consume a lot less calories. And if it is a buffet or hors d’oeuvres party, be sure to get one plate, eat what’s on it and be done. Don’t graze! You would be shocked at how many extra calories you ingest without even knowing it. So instead, be mindful of every bite you put in your mouth. Enjoy each bite and savor it. You’ll feel a lot more satisfied while consuming a lot less food.

Also, if you are attending gatherings where alcohol is available, be aware that alcohol has a lot of empty calories. So, drink in moderation as well.  A good rule of thumb is to alternate a glass of water between each drink. It will not only keep the pounds off, but it will keep the headache away the next morning too. 😊 In addition, be selective about what you choose to drink and what you choose to mix your alcohol with. Light colored alcohol usually has less calories as well as light colored mixers. For example, juice or pop contain a lot more sugar and calories than seltzer water. (Note: This is not necessarily the case for wine. Red wine is generally better for you. But the color doesn't matter as much as whether the wine is dry or sweet when it comes to the sugar content.) Regardless of what you choose to drink... sip mindfully. Slowly sipping a beverage will help you maintain a healthier intake, for both your physical and mental well-being.

Lastly, emotional or stress eating and drinking are two of the biggest causes of weight gain. And the holidays often bring about both. A simple way to overcome the urge to eat or drink when stressed or emotional, is to be aware when the feelings arise and have healthy alternatives. Call a friend, meditate, journal and of course don’t forget to exercise - it’s a great way to relieve stress during the season. Not only that but it also increases your energy levels and certainly helps maintain healthy weight control. Plus, the endorphins that are released during exercise will lift your mood. So, it's an all-around healthy solution to heightened emotions and stress this time of year. And hey, we can all use the extra energy to get those additional holiday tasks done. Right?

So this holiday season, plan ahead and be mindful. Don't allow the extra holiday gatherings to bring about extra holiday gain. Here are the main tips to remember: 

• Eat and Drink in Moderation
• Be Selective – Make Healthy, Lower Calorie, Low Fat Choices
• Eat Before You Go Out or Bring a Healthy Option with You
• Don’t Graze – Be Aware of What You’re Consuming
• Be Mindful – Eat and Drink Slowly, Enjoying Every Bite and Sip
• Have Healthy Alternatives for Emotional and Stress Eating
• Exercise Daily for Optimal Physical and Emotional Health

Following these tips will keep you on the right track for adding extra joy to your holidays and not extra pounds.

Want to know more about how to make your holidays merry and bright? Don't miss your chance to join me for a special virtual Holiday Party plus get yourself set up for success in the new year. When you join the Success Mastery Group now, you'll receive access to these special bonuses and so much more! Schedule a Discovery Session today to see if the Success Mastery Group is right for you.