How To Avoid Diet Sabotage During The Holidays

Here it comes! The tastiest time of year is also the most difficult time of year to be on a diet. Temptation waits around every corner, and it is not your imagination. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy the holidays without ruining your waistline.

Eat before the festivities.

Part of the fun of the holiday season is all of those once-a-year treats. If you starve yourself in anticipation of all the goodies that await you, you are very likely to over-indulge. Eat breakfast and lunch as you normally would, then enjoy modest portions of your favorite holiday dishes.

The family.

Well meaning family members can wreak havoc on your diet during holiday gatherings. Exclamations of concern that include, "You look so thin! Have you been ill?", should be taken with a grain of salt. Your family loves you, no matter what. They may not have noticed that you were a little heavy, or understand that you actually lost the weight on purpose.

Know your limits.

You know your dietary limits, but it may be impossible to say no to Aunt Gertie's famous pecan pie (especially when she is trying to muscle it onto your plate). Instead of indulging in a full-sized slice, offer to share it with someone. If that does not work, cut yourself a smaller, diet-friendly slice.

No cleaning plates.

With the variety of holiday offerings, it is even harder for the kids to finish everything on their plates. If your kids get full, or are just too excited to eat, ask your host if you can take the leftovers home. Your host will be glad to get rid of some of the leftovers, and you will have some very grateful pets at home!

Sabotage at home.

Your spouse can often be the worst perpetrator of holiday diet sabotage on the planet. Yes, they have been witness to your efforts, and it may make them feel a little guilty for over-eating during the holidays. You can respond to the "Honey, just this once..." urging by quietly feeling very proud of your restraint. If you husband, (or wife), turns up the pressure, simply let them know that they can eat whatever they like and you will not be judgmental. You, on the other hand, possess super human self-control.

Hosting the dinner.

If you are the host of the holiday festivities, remember this is the season of giving! Send all of those tempting leftovers home with your guests. Stock up on containers beforehand. They will be thankful, and you will save yourself a million calories.

Finally, be forgiving of yourself. Holidays are about family and friends, and enjoying the time that you have with them. If you do happen to fall off of the diet wagon, remember that tomorrow is a new day. Enjoying a few treats is not enough to sabotage your entire diet.