How to Avoid Overindulgence and Holiday Weight Gain
Do you know how many people tell me they can’t start or continue their weight loss journey because of the holidays😒
That, my friend, is a lie you tell yourself to feel better about OVERindulging.
I’m all for indulging in holiday goodies. Trust that I’ll have my fair share of candied yams, mac & cheese and pie. But you can’t eat like that straight from Halloween until the ball drop and think that on January 2nd some magic switch is just flipped and your habits will miraculously change.
No. You have to be sensible NOW if you want to hit the ground running in the new year.
With Thanksgiving right in front of us, here are five things that you can do to ensure that the only thing getting overstuffed is the turkey.
1️⃣ Don’t skip breakfast. Unless you practice intermittent fasting, there’s no reason for you to pass on food until the bird is carved. I hear you…”but I want to save my calories.” See number 4 for a way to “save calories” without tanking your blood sugar. I’m not saying eat heavy all day, but have a nice healthy breakfast to fuel your body and help you be sane enough to make rational decisions at the buffet.
2️⃣ But first, water. Make sure you’re staying hydrated all day so you don’t mistake thirst for hunger and eat more than your tummy can handle.
3️⃣ Eat your veggies. Right now there are about a bazillion fall veggie recipes being shared in the interwebs. Pick one that looks delicious and add it to the spread. You might find a new favorite.
4️⃣ Have a plan. What are the dishes or even food combos that you look forward to all year? Set your mind on enjoying those things FIRST. Everything else is just extra. Start with what you know will leave you feeling satisfied. Don’t even put that other stuff on your plate. (Cousin Rita’s feelings can be hurt because you didn’t try her sweet potato surprise; this is your HEALTH we’re talking about.)
5️⃣ Take a break. I’m never going to tell you that you can’t go back for seconds, but I recommend you hit the pause button first. Allow that first plate to digest so you can feel your actual hunger levels. Have some water and enjoy your loved ones.
And since none of my tips involve you cutting out the things you love entirely (it’s once a year, have at it) there are a couple things I do every year to snap myself back into reality after turkey day.
This year I invite you to join me for one…or both (I recommend both😉):
🦃Nov 28th: 3-Day Post Thanksgiving Refresh
🎄Dec 1st: 21-Day Maintain Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge
Drop a 🦃 and/or🎄 in the comments if you’d like more info. Do you have any tips for a healthier holiday?
Thx