How to enjoy the holidays without putting on a lot of weight

Holiday season is here again. A time for sharing love and laughter with family, letting your hair down for office parties... and that time of year most of gain unwanted weight.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Will power
• Pants/skirt with a belt (no elastic)

1. Eat something healthy before you go to your party. Some grapes, a sandwich, and lots of water (water helps make you feel full).
   
   Once at the party, mix the high calories foods with the veggie tray items to help satisfy the desire to munch while you mingle (watch that dip, it adds up).
2. Eat whatever you want, IN MODERATION! Just take a TASTE of everything rather than pile a heaping spoonful on your plate. If you really want more, go get it. We are more likely to eat everything on the plate "because it's good," even though we are no longer hungry. If you take a little taste of everything and you don't feel hungry, you are less likely to go back for more. Notice I said you DON'T FEEL HUNGRY- don't eat until you're FULL. That is a thin-person's secret- don't eat until you're stuffed, just eat until you're not hungry.
   
   Wearing pants with elastic can also be lethal. Your stomach expands as you eat. If you are wearing a regular skirt or pair of pants, you will feel this expansion and be less likely to overindulge (it serves as a reminder). The elastic expands, so you don't feel your stomach getting bigger.
3. Limit your alcohol intake. As difficult as that is during the holidays, there are hundreds of hidden calories in every drink- EMPTY calories. Skip them.

Tips & Warnings

• Think of your daily caloric intake as money. You only have 1500 calories to use, so you only have $1500 to "spend." Everything you put in your mouth has calories (costs money). Once you are out of calories, you're DONE (just like money, once you spend what you have, there is NO MORE, and there's nothing to do). Stick to that, plan ahead, and use your calories (money) wisely. Mentally calculate everything you're eating (estimate the calories and add 50 to that because you've probably underestimated) and don't forget to include everything you drink- one glass of soda is usually about 100 extra calories- a total waste if you can get by with unsweet tea or water instead (they're free!)
• Maintain your exercise regime even during the holidays.
• Don't forget, alcohol has a LOT of carbs and calories, beer is the least, mixed drinks are the WORST!