Extra Rest at Night Can Help You Manage Holiday Stress

Unlike other food-centric times of the year, the winter holidays last for six weeks or more. So, you need to accept the fact that temptations will not be going away anytime soon. Adding a brisk walk to your daily activities can help manage stress and provide some time a self-review of your weight control strategies. Make sure you are in control during the winter holidays and not the other way around. It is crucial to slow down and make certain you enjoy what you eat. Stuffing holiday treats in your face is not an effective solution for managing your weight this, or any other, time of the year. Add a healthy snack of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein to regular menu plan to prevent hunger pangs during the festive winter season. Holidays can be fun but not every day is a holiday, so eat normally on those days.

• HOLIDAY EXERCISE - According to a study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, women who exercised in the morning moved more the rest of the day and had less of a response to pictures of tempting food throughout the day.
• GET PLENTY OF SLEEP - The holidays bring stress and anxiety along with all the joy and excitement. Nonetheless, it is important to put your holiday anxieties to rest at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Also, alcohol may seem like it helps you to fall asleep but it is a depressant. So, once your body metabolizes it during your sleep cycle, it can wake you up and keep you awake.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - It doesn't help the same if you are reducing your carbs and increasing your protein intake if you are overeating at the same time. You don't have to count calories to lose weight but you will benefit from managing portion sizes for your intake of macronutrients, such as carbs, protein and fats.
• DRINK MORE WATER - Especially during the holidays, drink a glass of water before reaching for more food. You may actually be thirsty and not hungry. Moreover, you will feel fuller and your body will be better hydrated, so it is a win-win solution when you put water first.
• AVOID LIQUID CALORIES - Not only are alcoholic drinks a source of hidden calories, consuming alcohol lowers inhibitions and makes it more likely that you will forget your plan and overindulge in holiday temptations. So, nurse your glass and drink slowly or choose to sip on a carbonated water with a slice of lime.
• EAT MORE FRESH FOODS - Eating a salad before your holiday meals can help you consume fewer calories and hydrate your body with water-filled fresh vegetables and fruits. To be safe, prepare a potluck appetizer with handpicked ingredients and take it with you, so others can benefit as well.

Experts say that if you pick the stuff you really want to eat and have it in moderation during the winter holidays, you will avoid food cravings that can get you in trouble later on. Nevertheless, remember to use your willpower to keep your portion size in check. A big problem with holiday weight gain does not come from Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Instead, most holiday weight gain is the result of six weeks of making exceptions to your routine eating behaviors. So, focus on one day at time and enjoy your Holidays. Overindulging in food during the winter holidays is not only considered normal, it is one of the great enjoyments in life. After all, one or two days of overeating should be relatively easy to overcome. Unfortunately, most people experience about six weeks of overindulgence and between one to five pounds of weight gain.

Our latest Holiday recipes ideas that are available at Metabolic Research Center online are sure to delight everyone in your holiday circle. From our Pumpkin Spiced Candied Bacon to our Holiday Gummy Treats, you can enjoy your holidays without guilt and without depriving yourself of traditional holiday cheer.