How to Stay Thin Over the Holidays
The holiday season is fun and festive but also busy and hectic. There are gifts to buy, trees to decorate and people to visit. From holiday cookies and desserts to the stuffing and side dishes and all those tasty snacks in between, the holidays can be the worst time to watch one's weight. Here are some tips to help you stay thin during the holidays.
Instructions
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Keep a regular meal schedule. Most of us have overloaded schedules during the holidays because of gift shopping, work schedules and travel. But not making time to eat or waiting until you're famished could lead you to resort to unhealthy fast food or to eat more than necessary. Maintain a regular meal schedule with time for breakfast, lunch and dinner and plan your extra activities around these times; you will be more likely to maintain healthy eating habits, and you will have more energy.
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Plan ahead for parties. There is a rule of thumb among dieters that you should never grocery shop on an empty stomach because you will be tempted to buy junk food that is bad for you. Apply this principle to the holiday season and avoid attending parties and functions on an empty stomach as this will leave you more susceptible to temptation in the form of sugary sweets and bountiful buffets. While getting ready to go out, eat a small snack like some vegetables or a granola bar to help curb your appetite.
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Practice moderation. There is no need to completely deny yourself of holiday treats as long as you remember to enjoy them in moderation. Just because there is a buffet at a party doesn't mean you have to make three trips. If there are ten kinds of holiday cookies laid out, choose two or three kinds, eat one of each and leave the rest alone. Moderation will allow you to enjoy holiday goodies without doing damage to your waistline.
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Make time to exercise. Daily exercise and physical activity is a great way to help combat those extra holiday calories. Take the dog for a walk in the snow, go sledding, build a snowman with the kids or go ice-skating.
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Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are full of empty calories and can cause bloating. A glass of wine for dinner or to ring in the New Year is fine, but keep your alcohol consumption in moderation like your food intake in order to avoid the added weight gain.
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Cook healthy. Many holiday recipes that have been handed down through the generations can be made much healthier with some modifications. Exchange heavy cream in desserts for milk, use margarine instead of lard or butter and consider sugar substitutes or lowering sugar content.
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