Use Willpower When Selecting Your Holiday Treats

Unlike other food-centric times of the year, the winter holidays last for six weeks or more, so 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 for a self-review of your weight control strategies. 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. It can be argued whether you should set a goal to lose weight during the winter holiday season. After all, if you keep up your exercise routine and follow your weight-control menu plan with portion control, you can survive the holidays with no pressure to lose weight until the New Year.

• LEARN HOW TO USE WILLPOWER - Your willpower can use a boost this time of year, so be proactive and help control the risk for seasonal temptations. It is a good idea to clear your personal spaces of tempting holiday goodies. At the office, keep some healthy protein snacks close by. At home, either bake in small amounts for you or share your treats with family and friends.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - Studies have demonstrated that people are more inclined to feel like they are eating more when using smaller plates. So, plate size matters and so does the size of the drink you choose. To avoid having to limit your drink glass, simply fill it with water and guzzle away.
• CONCENTRATE ON YOUR MEAL - When you are distracted at a social gathering where food is served, try this tip along with using a smaller plate. Once you've savored each bite of food, put your fork down and wait fifteen minutes for the food to settle. It also takes that long for your body to update your brain on your level of satiety.
• DRINK MORE WATER - You know how important drinking water is for staying healthy; however, with the winter holidays and all of the various beverages you will consume from punch to egg nog, it is crucial that you stay hydrated. You can live for weeks without food but only a few days without water.
• INTERMITTENT FASTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Intermittent fasting can be a convenient way to regulate energy intake without having to track and record all of the food you consume each day. Nonetheless, you still need to follow a balanced menu plan that is eaten in moderation throughout the holidays.
• HOLIDAY EXERCISE - If you know that you are going to overeat, there are things you can do to limit the negative impact of eating behaviors. For example, if you exercise routinely, the keep your normal workout routine throughout the holidays. If you don't train regularly, try to be more active every day that you choose to overeat.
• BE PICKY BUT EAT - A recent study indicated that people who wait for all the food to be on the table before making their initial food selections, ate about 15% less food than those who keep refilling as each plate passes by. So, being picky can be an effective weight loss tool.

All of the weight loss techniques in world will not work unless you adopt healthy strategies and commit to a specific plan 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. If you exceed the limits of your calorie intake one day, do not allow yourself to feel like a failure. After all, it truly takes more than one day of overeating to affect your progress. Nonetheless, learn how to learn from your slip ups and be better prepared for the next day. 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.

Metabolic Research Center has thirty years of experience in helping clients create an eating plan to empower them in making smarter choices while keeping their eye on the prize. Contact a center near you to schedule a free weight loss consultation for managing your winter holidays.