Tuesday, November 28, 2006
3 Ways To Avoid Weight Gain During The Holidays - Eunice Coughlin
The holiday season typically is a time of indulgence. It is seen as a last chance to eat all the good stuff until the diet kicks in January 1st. It is rare to see someone make a commitment to maintain their weight, rarer still to see someone try to lose weight during the holidays. If you are one of those few people, congratulations!
You may feel alone in the crowd, however, so here are a few tips to help you hang on during the rough spots.
First, make a plan for the parties. Let’s be real and admit that you are probably going to indulge yourself at some point in the holidays. I know I will. However, if you plan it right, you can still enjoy the goodies without completely blowing it. Choose one or two events that you know you are going to have to be more flexible with your diet. Make a commitment that those times are the only times you are going to “cheat”. Once the event is over, go right back to your healthy diet. If you’ve been faithful to follow a healthy diet the rest of the time, your metabolism should be able to weather those occasional indulgences pretty well.
Second, commit to your exercise plan no matter what. Even if you do eat something you shouldn’t eat, the exercise should burn up the extra calories so that you are at least maintaining your weight.
Third, when you do indulge, remember that it is only food that we are talking about here.
Eating that piece of cheesecake or scooping into that spinach artichoke dip is not going to change your life or solve your problems. It might taste good for a moment but then the after-effects of bloating and weight gain stay with you. A little taste is good and really all that you need so that you don’t feel deprived. Keep a level head and don’t get carried away with how good it tastes on your tongue.
Most of all, be proud of the fact that you are watching your weight during the holidays. Most people who take advantage of the “eating season” will go on a diet New Year’s Day and will probably be back to their old habits within a week. If you’ve chosen the most difficult part of the year to try and lose weight, be encouraged to know that you will probably be successful in the long term.
Eunice Coughlin is the founder of www.healthy-living-for-moms.com, a resource for moms of all ages and stages who seek spiritual and physical health and wellness. To find out how to lose 5 pounds fast in a healthy way, go to www.healthy-living-for-moms.com/lose_5_pounds_fast.html .
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