Your Guide to Preventing Holiday Weight Gain

Every year in the US, Thanksgiving marks the arrival of the holiday season. During the winter holidays, it’s pretty common for people to put on weight, whether they want to or not. In fact, Americans’ average holiday weight gain is about one pound. That might not seem like much, but it can add up. Concerned about putting on the pounds this holiday season? Here’s what you can do to minimize holiday weight gain while still enjoying the season.

Give Yourself a Treat (and a Limit)

One of the biggest reasons people gain weight around the holidays is that there are just so many treats available. It seems as if every day, someone is bringing something decadent into the office. Then there are the parties, with their free-flowing wine, rich appetizers, and an array of desserts.

When faced with a sea of sweets and treats, the best thing you can do is enjoy the treats in moderation. Set a limit of one treat per day or per week (depending on your goals). That way, you won’t feel deprived and will still be able to enjoy the festive season without too much holiday weight gain.

Focus on Vegetables

If you’re worried that all those treats will be too much for you and you won’t be able to resist temptation, one option is to fill up on healthier picks. Aim for eating five to seven servings of vegetables and fruit each day. Veggies and fruits are low in calories but typically high in fiber. They’ll make you feel full without leading to weight gain. You won’t have room for those cookies!

Keep Moving

During the holidays, it can seem as if you’re rushing about trying to get everything done. But don’t let the more hectic pace of the season derail your fitness and exercise goals. To keep the holiday weight gain away, it’s best to keep on moving as much as you can. In some cases, that can mean finding creative ways to squeeze exercise into your day. You can try taking walks while on a phone meeting or hop on a stationary bike while you’re catching up on Netflix.

BYO

If you’re concerned about all the sweets and high-calorie treats available in the office or at holiday parties, it might be a good idea to bring your own dish to any events you attend. If a friend is hosting a potluck holiday party, bring along an appetizer that’s laden with vegetables or a low-calorie, fruit-based dessert. Not sure if bringing a dish would be welcome at a particular event? Make sure to ask the host.

Eat Before You Go Out

Attending holiday parties and gatherings on an empty stomach almost guarantees that you’ll spend much of the party hovering over the cheese plate rather than socializing. To keep yourself in line, enjoy a healthy meal or snack before you go out. That way, you’ll be able to turn away from the table piled high with cheeses, candies, and treats.

Pick the Small Plate

If you do find yourself at a holiday dinner where the meal is served buffet-style, one way to limit the amount you eat and to minimize weight gain is to choose a smaller plate. Pick the salad or dessert plate over the bigger dinner plate. You’ll fit less food on the plate and will likely end up eating less overall.

Of course, choosing the small plate won’t help you too much if you end up going up for seconds, thirds or fourths. Give yourself one go at the buffet and choose the foods you put on your plate with care.

Move Away From the Food Table

Holiday parties where the socializing happens around a holiday spread can be particularly disastrous for your waistline. If everyone seems to be hanging out around the food table or in the kitchen, be the person who makes the first move away from the snacks. That way, you won’t be tempted to keep nibbling on the available treats as you chat.

Once the holidays are over, you might find that you have put on a bit of weight or that you’ve got some particularly stubborn fat that you want to get rid of. While Coolsculpting won’t help you drop a lot of weight and won’t keep the holiday pounds away, it can help to reduce areas of unwanted fat without the need for surgery.

Dr. Paul Vitenas offers Coolsculpting at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas. To learn more about the non-surgical fat-freezing treatment, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.