Start Every Holiday Function with a Glass of Water

Making a plan for which foods to put on your plate and selecting a smaller plate to fill will let you indulge in your favorite seasonal foods without mindlessly selecting everything in sight. During the winter holidays, starting your morning with an exercise routine or brisk walk can provide unique benefits for weight control. A study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise concluded that women who exercise in the morning responded less to photos of tempting foods and said they moved more the rest of their day. Adults, who battle weight gain, will find the holiday season difficult when it comes to weight fluctuations. However, there is more to it than simply overeating as the time of year is stressful and sleep disturbances are common culprit.

• DRINK MORE WATER - The good news is that staying hydrated during the winter season can help curb holiday food cravings. After all, modern man has a hard time distinguishing between hunger and thirst. Therefore, starting every festive function by drinking a glass of water will put you in charge.
• ADD 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.
• BE FUSSY ABOUT FOOD BUT EAT - During the holidays, you should eat mostly whole, single-ingredient foods while avoiding foods that are highly processed. If you base your non-celebratory meals during the week on consuming lean protein and low-carb vegetables, a taste of holiday treats will not endanger your dietary plans.
• LEARN TO USE WILLPOWER - It is easy to get caught up in the holiday rush, which frequently includes multitasking during meals. Studies have shown distracted eating is a likely cause of indulgence, as the person is too busy to notice their body's fullness signals. So, eat mindfully by ignoring distractions at mealtime.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - Since holiday meals tend to be quite large, a common mistake is eating too large of portions for what is perceived as healthy. Although it is important to include nutrient rich foods on your plate, all food types should be consumed in moderation to avoid overindulgence.
• FOCUS ON YOUR MEAL - Put yourself in charge of your party choices. If you bring an appetizer or dessert that you prepared, you will have a healthy option that will satisfy your stomach without adding empty calories. Moreover, be conscious of the liquid calories that abound.
• INTERMITTENT FASTS WORK - Intermittent fasting offers a simple approach with clear benefits for establishing sustainable eating behaviors that support permanent weight loss. In some religions, it is considered a healthier form of healing the body than today's fad diets based on food restrictions.

All of the weight loss techniques in world will not work unless you adopt healthy eating strategies for the winter holiday season. Remember, it is not just a couple of days. The winter holidays are a six-week season of unique and unusual temptations. Holiday treats and festive foods can be almost impossible to resist. However, with the right strategy, you can put a holiday eating plan in place that will make it easier to stay on track and prevent holiday weight gain. People often forget their healthy behaviors this time of year. Instead of keeping holiday leftovers in the refrigerator, consider freezing them right away. It will keep you from overeating more calorie-dense foods on back-to-back days.

Need a weight-loss friendly recipe for the Holidays? Visit Metabolic Research Center online and download our recipes for pumpkin spiced candied bacon, holiday deviled eggs, pumpkin spiced chocolate truffles, and the "best grilled burgers" for a holiday BBQ.