Plan Whose Table You Eat At During Holiday Gatherings

Nobody wants to start the New Year in the hole, weight wise. However, to manage your weight during the holidays, you must believe you can have seasonal fun without throwing away your weight loss friendly habits. Before putting the first item of food on your plate, create a strategy for how much you plan to eat. Indulge in your favorites but avoid extra calories from mindlessly sampling everything available. Remember, nothing says you have to reach your goal weight without making mistakes along your weight loss journey. Your self-talk should be that you can succeed in losing weight by taking it one step at a time and starting with the upcoming holidays. If you slip up, simply get back on track with what has been working for you.

• PLAN WHO YOU EAT WITH - Obviously, there is strength in numbers. Since one university study found that dining with six or more people increases the amount of food that each person consumes, opt to sit with a smaller group of healthier eaters whenever possible.
• TAKE A STANCE - Research has shown that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Nonetheless, you can draw your own line in the snow by focusing on your better points rather than your weaknesses. Update your wardrobe with some clothes that flatter you at your current weight.
• EAT MORE FRESH FOOD - When you are trying to lose weight fast then it can be helpful to eat a simple diet that is filled with whole foods. Real food tends to be very filling and make it easier to eat less without feeling hungry.
• INCLUDE HEALTHY FATS - Not all fats are bad. Some fats like Omega-3 are not stored as fat, but are used by the body to build the outside layer of body cells. On the other hand, other fats may be quickly absorbed and burned as a quick source of energy.
• TAKE TIME TO RELAX - Research studies have shown that women who practice stress reduction during the holidays are able to prevent weight gain by making better food decisions.
• WATCH FOR LIQUID CALORIES - Before leaving for a holiday party, decide what you plan to drink along with what you intend to eat. Water is the perfect holiday beverage. If you decide to drink alcohol, have a glass of water between drinks.
• CONSUME WATER-RICH FOODS - Fresh vegetables such as celery, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, tomato and zucchini contain over 90 percent water. Moreover, vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants, minerals and fiber to support a healthy weight.

The winter holiday season can be difficult when everyone around you are letting their hair down and festively partaking of food and drink. Whether you sitting at the family table or catching up with friends after work, the winter holidays are filled with tempting food options. If you fail to plan, it can be difficult to keep from overdoing it when attending a holiday meal or party. Keeping your commitment to yourself is a little easier as long as you try to be as good as you can. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just two days on the calendar. It is up to you to decide if it is worth sabotaging all your hard work with overindulgence throughout the winter holiday season.

MRC offers personalized eating plans and low-impact activities to keep you engaged throughout your weight loss journey. Visit Metabolic Research Center's Recipes Section for weight-friendly options for pumpkin spice pancakes, easy crock pot brownies, apple pie cheesecake, caramel corn or vanilla bread pudding to make your winter holidays special. Don't wait until next year. Stop by today and get started on the road to permanent weight loss.