The holidays are coming, and the last thing you want to do is ruin your healthy routine. Even with the new year right around the corner, there is a lot of good food to enjoy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay healthy and fit while still enjoying it. A great way to avoid the average holiday weight gain is to educate yourself and gain as much knowledge as possible before the holidays start.
Here are the dos and don’ts to staying healthy and fit during the holidays:
Do: Have a Holiday Proof Plan
The holidays mean you’re likely to have more responsibilities or expectations than normal. Especially if you enjoy going to family outings or attending other holiday events, including this in your plan allows you to find the tools you need to prepare yourself. For example, if you know there are certain holiday treats you can’t avoid, don’t bake them or buy them.
Don’t: Skip Your Normal Routines
While having a holiday-proof plan is important, you want to make sure it follows your normal routine as much as possible. Meaning don’t skip meals or start a new diet journey at the same time as the start of the holidays. The extra temptations and activities often experienced around the holidays will only make it harder to stay on the diet. So instead, focus on maintenance of your current weight.
Do: Get Moving as Much as Possible
Just because you are with family or other loved ones doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate physical activity. It doesn’t need to be rigorous either. A simple walk around the park or participating in holiday activities like ice skating is enough to help burn the extra calories you consume.
Don’t: Overload Your Plate
A great trick to portion control is not to pile up your plate. Just because your plate is large doesn’t mean it needs to be full. Instead, strive for one serving size for each category of food you would like to enjoy. Remember, today’s plates are about 30 percent larger than your grandma’s plates.
Do: Stay Hydrated
Drink water whenever possible. If you have yet to reach your daily required water intake at any point throughout the day, stop and drink a small glass of water. The more hydrated you are, the less weight you will retain, as most weight gained during the holidays is due to water retention.
Don’t: Strive for Perfection
Always practice forgiveness and recognise that it is okay to indulge once in a while during the holidays. You don’t need to punish yourself, and this will only create stress and set you up for failure. Instead, recognise where you went wrong, add the tools you need and then move on.
Stick to these holiday ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ if you want to stay healthy and avoid holiday weight gain. Remember, keeping weight off is easier than taking it off! Using these tips can make your holiday season easier to tackle without unwanted stress.
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