Your Waist Can Pay the Price for Holiday Merrymaking

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 in between outings. Although most people tend to overestimate the number of calories they burn while exercising, studies have shown that people who stay invested in a routine will gain a sense of empowerment that can serve as a useful tool for weight control during the holiday season. As you can see, our Holiday season is never just one day of overeating, which the body actually handles quite efficiently. Instead, the winter holidays represent six weeks or more of bad eating behaviors, stressful situations and sleep disturbances. Nonetheless, planning for the holidays can make all the difference.

• FOCUS ON EACH MEAL - There is no holiday rule that says you must eat everywhere you go. However, when you eat, eat mindfully by savoring every bite. Beware of eating distracted. If need be, put your fork down between bites and bits-and-pieces of conversation, so you can concentrate on each meal.
• DRINK MORE WATER - Water is extremely important for your metabolism to function optimally, which makes it crucial for weight loss and weight management. Studies have shown that consuming eighteen ounces of water a day can increase your metabolic rate by up to 30 percent.
• ADD A HOLIDAY EXERCISE - The winter holidays are not only the busiest time of the year, it's the time that you should get moving. Routine, sustained aerobic activity is one of the best ways to offset the indulgences you savor with seasonal holiday treats.
• 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 effective.
• USE WILLPOWER - You will be much less likely to spot a holiday treat that you simply can't resist if you socialize away from the food table. When attending a holiday party or dinner, never stand around or settle into a sofa next to a table filled with temptation.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - Holiday parties and potluck dinners are common during the holidays but these celebrations can be enjoyed without wreaking havoc on your diet. Since there is a natural tendency to eat more as you sample dishes, make it harder to overeat by using a smaller plate.

If you practice healthy eating habits and make the necessary lifestyle changes to prevent weight gain during the winter holiday season, you can maintain and avoid gaining weight during the holidays. You will know that you have the right mindset when you begin to experience weight control by applying the motivation needed to reach your goals for beating the holiday bulge. Since the average weight gain during the holidays is closer to a pound than the ten pounds that it feels like in January, you would think that to be good news. Unfortunately, many people gain a couple of pounds a year and never take it off. In twenty years, that's forty pounds and potentially life threatening. So, it is important that you create an eating strategy to manage your holiday weight.

Have you been searching online for weight loss friendly holiday recipes? 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.