How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

The holidays are upon us, and with them come vacations, celebrations and family get togethers. Most of these events include food - and plenty of it! Avoid gaining weight during your holiday.

holiday-weigh-gain-graphic With a little planning and clever eating, your holidays don't have to be a diet disaster! There are ways to work around a diet plan during the holidays, particularly if you choose a flexible plan that allows you the freedom to choose what you eat!

Here are some tips to get you through the holidays in great shape! Another party to attend?

Before you're sabotaged by the yummy stuff, try these:

Eat a healthy snack before you arrive. That way you're not starving, ready to eat anything that's offered.
Look for the vegetarian platters - they tend to be healthier. Vegetables minus the dips, crackers and sandwiches are good choices. Avoid pastries and anything fried.
Keep the alcohol to a minimum. Alcohol tends to lower your guard and your willpower!

Family Feasts?

You're not going to change granny's half century of cooking habits, so you'll have to learn to convert your serving into a healthy meal.

Remove the skin from the turkey and leave out the gravy - if it's still succulent, at least you can compliment the chef honestly!
Watch out for butter and cream-based sauces - stick to the plain, unadorned vegetables.
A little bit of dessert is okay - just don't go overboard! Skip the chocolate sauce on the ice cream, and avoid the whipped cream on anything.
Do you know that a glass of eggnog packs about 300 calories? Watch the alcohol intake carefully!

Going on Vacation?

How you travel and where you stay can make things tricky - so try these:

If you're flying, order a vegetarian or low-fat in-flight meal. Check when you make the booking though - some airlines like special requests to be pre-arranged.
Pack a cooler with nutritious snacks to sustain the family on a long drive. Yogurt, fruit, raw nuts, vegetables and crackers will keep you all going for hours.
Hotels are not ideal for dieters! At breakfast, stick to fruit, cereals and proteins - not the waffles and pastries.
Drink a glass of water before you start your meal - you'll feel fuller and less likely to eat the huge portions restaurants serve. Even better - share your meal!
Order grilled fish, skinless chicken and vegetarian meals in restaurants. Tomato-based pasta sauces are better than the cream-based ones. Choose a baked potato (without the sour cream or butter) over fries, and get your salad with the dressing on the side so you can control how much you have.
Pack your own snacks as often as you can - to the beach, the park, the scenic drive. It'll stop you filling up on sweets, icecream and soda at the nearest vendor.

Get Moving!

Yes, holidays are a time to rest - from your normal routine, not all physical activity! You should not become a couch potato for three weeks. And if you're on holiday with family, what better way to spend time together than getting active!

1. Walk to the local sights. Whether you're going to a restaurant, the local amusement park, the beach or a museum - walk there.

2. Play! You're on holiday, after all. Whether it's frisbee, tag, or ball, get up and do it.

3. Hike through the forest instead of driving round it - you'll see a lot more on foot.

4. Cycle around the town you're visiting. It's a great way to sightsee, and much easier to find parking spaces.

Enjoy it! It's difficult enough getting through this time of year - so don't be too hard on yourself if you 'slip up' and have a sundae or pizza. Just do a little better tomorrow!

Plan ahead when you can, make smart choices, and you'll survive the holidays with your hips and waistline intact! Calorie-shifting diets give you more variety in terms of foods you can eat, and allow you more flexibility too.

Take a look at Fat Loss 4 Idiots and Strip that Fat programs on our site. Both are quite adaptable, and can slim you down in a short time, ready for the festivities.