Lose & Keep Weight Off This Holiday Season

The biggest holidays of the year are just around the corner! Don't ruin them by worrying about your weight and what you should eat. Make this year's holidays ones that you will enjoy. If you follow a few simple suggestions, you will be able to lose some weight within the next few weeks as well as keep it off during and after the holidays. I lost 15 lbs my first semester of college by changing a few of my bad habits, and I kept the weight off the remainder of my college career. It did not take much effort and I felt great!

Tip 1: Don't Snack! Eat Whatever You Want!
Okay, probably don't eat whatever you want, but for the most part, enjoy what you eat, especially at your holiday meals. Discipline yourself by not snacking in between meals, but allowing yourself to eat what you want during meals. I do not recommend ice cream and pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but if you don't get exactly the correct number of fruits and vegetables in, it is not going to hurt you! Choose things that you like and eat up! If you find that you are hungry other times of the day, drink some juice or water. Also, decide if you ate enough for the previous meal. Were you full? You're body should be able to run on the energy you gave it during meals without the assistance of other snacks. On the other hand, if you feel drained and need the energy, grab something healthy like a piece of fruit or vegetables to hold you over.

Tip 2: Attempt to Choose Something Healthy
Like I said, do not eat junk food for all your meals and wonder why you are not losing the desired weight! Attempt to choose something healthy from the various food groups. Also, pick things that you like. I am one of the pickiest eaters around, but I have found things that I do like eating. I may not like eating meat, but I will eat chicken or turkey so that is what I stick to. I do not like many vegetables, but I like carrots, spinach, and corn, so I pick meals that include those things. Remember, you can eat some junk. Your body still needs sugar so an occasional brownie or cookie is not a problem!

Tip 3: Exercise a Little Each Day
Along with being a picky eater, I detest working out! I am sorry but running a mile or doing an aerobics video is the farthest thing from fun for me, but, I have found a couple forms of exercise that I enjoy. Videos like tae-bo, kickboxing, or dance aerobics are practical; you exercise and learn self-defense or dance techniques at the same time! Another option is if you enjoy reading or watching TV (who doesn't); walk a mile on a treadmill every other day while doing one or the other. You will hardly realize that you are exercising! A simple form of exercise that you should add to either of these is crunches and push-ups. When you wake-up in the morning, try doing about 10 push-ups and 100 crunches at least. A little each day will get your abs and arms in shape.

Tip 4: Keep Busy!
This tip is easy for everyone! With the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking, and cleaning, keeping busy is not a problem. Do not burn yourself out, but it is expected that you will soon be entering the craziest time of the year. If you are avoiding being lazy or sitting around in combination with exercise and healthier eating, your metabolism will kick into gear and help get your body at the best weight for you.

Tip 5: Drink a LOT of Water!
Finally, drink a lot of water! Limit your caffeine intake and substitute water for coffee and soda. I have had one to two cups of coffee every morning for the last five years, but for the duration of the day, I drink as much water as I can! Get yourself a nice water bottle or just get one from a machine and keep filling it up. Bring it with as you are out shopping or getting your house ready for holiday guests. There are drinking fountains virtually everywhere, so there is no excuse not to always have water with you. Drinking water will flush all the bad things out of your body and help keep your skin clear and unblemished!

Tip 6: Throw 5 Tips Out the Window
Wait! Don't throw them out the window right away! Follow the suggestions I gave you for the days leading up to both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but as for the actual holidays - do whatever you want! When you wake up on the morning of Thanksgiving, do not think for one minute about what you should eat or if you should exercise. Give yourself a break and indulge in whatever you choose. Eat as much pumpkin pie or sweet potatoes as you want! Have four cans of soda! Relax and embrace the holiday - you deserve it!