Weight Loss Tips for the Holidays

Trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight is always more difficult during the holidays. At every turn there is yet another person offering you a bite to eat. A little planning ahead of time could help most stay with their plan.

Drink water before meals to help you lose weight: Also, sipping on water while others are snacking can help those trying to avoid unnecessary munching may save room to allow for a splurge later. Also, a glass filled with ice chips, water and a straw can keep the hands busy and satisfy the need to be putting something into your mouth.

Have a fruit salad or green salad before meals to stop hunger: Having a small first course helps satisfy hunger and may help those struggling to lose weight find dieting easier. Also, vegetables and fruits are a healthy alternative to many foods.

Share a meal with a friend: Restaurant meals sometimes appear to be large enough to feed a family of four! Sharing a meal with someone will still allow most to have enough to eat while working toward to weight loss goal.

Eat before going to parties: Have something that is good for you before heading to the office party if you are determined to lose weight. Avoiding temptation, therefore-losing weight, is almost impossible when you are hungry.

Getting a doggie bag may help some lose weight: When there is no one to share a meal with you, ask the server to put half of the menu item in a package to go. This not only helps with weight loss, it helps with the budget.

Have salad only for lunch during the week: Having a salad only for lunch during the holidays may help you maintain good health and allow you to eat holiday foods that often seem unavoidable at evening gatherings. Be sure not to undo your hard work by using the wrong salad dressings and toppings.

Order appetizers only to lose weight faster: Sharing appetizers with friends instead of ordering meals is sometimes an easy way to enjoy holiday visits without blowing your diet.

Write it down: Many busy people forget that they had 2 or 3 snacks throughout the day, and this may hinder their weight loss efforts. Keeping track can be especially important during the holidays.

Use fiber to stay full: Fiber is filling, and helps dieters feel satisfied longer, making weight loss easier. Also, fiber helps everyone avoid irregularity. During the holidays many will have fresh vegetable trays as part of a meal, or before the meal. Think about covering half of your plate with these instead of filling it with foods you are trying to avoid.

If weight loss is on your mind, remember that you have the remainder of your life to handle this. A few enjoyable meals with family and friends over the holidays will not deter you from accomplishing the weight loss goal you have planned for yourself.

Sources:

Personal opinion/experience