How to Use the Holidays to Jumpstart Your Diet!

If there's the "freshman fifteen" for college students, then there must be the "Christmastime five" for everyone else. Seriously, with all the merry opportunities to eat at holiday parties and at home, it's a wonder that there are actually still people who are within their proper weight limits.

For the rest of us, however, that have to watch our diets, there are a few easy tips to keep in mind.

First, take advantage of the New Year's holiday! Before January 1st even arrives, why don't you establish your New Year's Resolution. Make a goal for yourself to lose weight this upcoming year, and with that goal in mind, you can start a few weeks early during Christmas. You'll be more motivated to watch what you eat. Best of all, during the holidays, many gyms offer specials such as 20% when you join. So if you don't have one already, the holidays are a great time to get a good deal both financially and physically at your local gym!

Second, be sure that you're eating all 3 meals every day. You should be doing this anyways, but it's especially important during the holidays. Many people think that they need to skip meals to make up for eating so much at Christmas parties; they think that this will help balance their caloric intake. WRONG! Skipping a meal only makes you more hungry, and you are then more tempted to over-eat at the Christmas parties you go to! Before you even leave your house, you should have a few crackers or something lite in calories to help you feel more "full" before you are surrounded by holiday goodies.

Third, say no to leftovers. It may be tempting to take food home with you from a party, especially if it's a dish that you brought. Chances are, however, that you're going to eat the food later, since you are indeed bringing it home! So to stop the extra food from entering your home, just say no to leftovers!

Fourth, you need to socialize! Have you noticed that people eat slower and are more conscious of how much they consume when they are surrounded by other people? This is probably because we are too self-conscious as a society... But better yet, use this tool to help you watch your diet! By socializing, you will eat slower, which in turn helps you realize that your full. Often times we eat so quickly that we fail to realize that we're full until it's too late. Talking with your friends will also help take your mind off the food, as you're trying to enjoy the company.

And finally, keep a list of what you eat! After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year! No, the list is not for Santa Claus, but sometimes we fail to realize how much we are really consuming. By keeping track of everything that you eat, you are more likely to stay on track with your diet!

Good luck! And Merry Christmas!