With the holidays right around the corner, you might be dreading the post-holiday weight gain you’ve suffered in the past. We’ve all been there. We eat anything and everything we want at holiday parties and when January 2nd rolls around we are scurrying around trying to find pants that actually fit in our closets – ultimately regretting all those extra helpings of food and desserts. Unfortunately, you can’t live in sweatpants and an elastic waistband. This year, you don’t need to worry as long as you follow some of the helpful tips found in this article! Here are some of the best ways to keep your weight and body fat in check while still enjoying the holiday festivities with friends and family.
1. Exercise the day of parties/gatherings
Just because the holidays are here doesn’t mean you should skip your workouts due to a busy schedule. Your health is a priority and because of this, you need to keep your workouts in your calendar. Check the hours of your gym to ensure they are open certain days and times during the holidays and get your workouts out of the way by doing them in the morning. This gives you ample time to get ready for your afternoon/evening parties while still getting your swole on and burning fat.
2. Never go to a party on an empty stomach
You know what happens when you go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, right? Everything looks good and you buy items you didn’t have on your grocery list. Well, what do you think would happen if you went to a party on an empty stomach where you’re surrounded by delicious food that you normally wouldn’t eat due to the calorie and sugar count in them? Don’t do it. Eat a small meal and drink plenty of water before heading off to the party. This will have you feeling satiated before even walking up to the food table.
You could even have a SciLabs Nutrition Iso Fuzion GF shake before you head out the door. I love this shake not only because the taste is amazing, but it only contains 124 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and is slam-packed with 28 grams of whey protein isolate. This is perfect because more than likely, at the party, there will be many carbohydrate-filled options. Therefore, I like to keep my carbs low prior to heading to parties and gatherings, knowing that I’ll indulge in some while there.
3. Go one-for-one on beverages
It’s easy to kick back with those close to you and indulge in some adult beverages for a night full of fun and laughter. However, those liquid calories add up quickly. Way too quickly! Before you know it, you’re nearing 1,000 calories in just beverages – that’s not even counting the food you ate. An easy way to keep things under control is to go one-for-one with your beverages. For every alcoholic beverage you consume, drink a glass of water to follow it. So, if you drink one beer, grab a glass or bottle of water next. If you’re staying at the party for a while yet and want to drink another alcoholic beverage after your water, go for it. Remember though, drink responsibly. Not only is it for your own safety as we don’t want you to drink and drive, but no one like a sloppy drunk friend or family member at a party.
A better option, though, would be to skip the alcoholic beverages all together. I’m not naïve to think that most people enjoy a beverage when surrounded by friends and family. But if you normally don’t drink, then staying clear of all those liquid calories won’t be out of the norm anyway if you decided to skip the alcohol. Water is your friend – and it’s calorie-free!
4. Make your plate work for you
I’d much rather have my plate work for me than need to work off my plate. A simple tip is to fill up half of your plate with a protein source. This can be at meals or when snacking on appetizers. Take the other half a divide it evenly between carbohydrates and fats. While the bulk of your plate is filled with muscle-building protein, you still get to enjoy some “tasty” options as well with the other half.
After you ate everything on your plate, wait a little to allow your food to settle before going back for more. Drink a glass of water as well which will help you feel full and satiated. If after that you are still hungry, go back up and this time use only half of your plate and fill the first half (so really only a quarter of your plate) with protein and the other half (the second quarter of your plate) with a carbohydrate or fat of your choice.
5. Look for fiber
When it comes down to it, we don’t get enough fiber in our diets to begin with. What many people don’t realize is that fiber is your friend when it comes to keeping your weight in check. Not only does it help keep you regular and your digestive system in check, but it’s also a great way to stay satiated. So, when you’re at holiday parties and gatherings, look for fibrous food options such as broccoli, nuts, and apples (just to name a few) to fill up your snack plate. These options will help fill you up so you don’t overeat, as well as providing you with important micronutrients as well.
