Weight Management - 7 Strategies On How To Avoid The Holiday Bulge

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Weight management at this time of year tends to go out of the window as we rush around planning and shopping.  Holiday time is upon us!  Along with all the excitement and parties at this time of year, the sneaky feeling of dread crosses many women’s minds as they think about all those mince pies, turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pies!

Have you had that feeling on January 2nd of “I wish I hadn’t had that second helping of ….” Or “I wish I hadn’t drunk all that wine …”

Why not get a head start on your weight management and reduce your stress at this pressured time of year with our 7 weight management strategies to avoid the holiday bulge.

1.  Plan Ahead - Plan ahead of time and take note of your food intake.  This way you can be sure that you are in control of your food, rather than it being in control of you!  Being aware of how much food we are actually eating makes it easier to not eat quite so much. 

2.  Breakfast - Always have a healthy, nutritious breakfast that sets you up for the day, giving you energy and vitality to get through your busy day.  It is the foundation building block of a healthy lifestyle.  Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and supper like a pauper.

3.  Plan indulgences - Of course at holiday time you do not want to be seen as a party pooper who cuts out all the goodies!  There is nothing worse than someone being miserable because they cannot join in!  Feelings of guilt and lack are surefire death to any weight management plans, so factor in some planned indulgences before you start, knowing that you can enjoy your holidays and still maintain your weight loss program.

4.  Control your portion size - Plan to eat smaller portion sizes with protein and produce at each meal.  Fresh vegetables and fruit eaten in their natural state or simply cooked without added butter or sauces can be eaten more frequently.  Try to take the healthy option, knowing that your body with thank you in the New Year.
 
5.  Alcohol intake - Alcohol is turned by our bodies into glucose - empty calories that don’t have any nutritious value at all!  Because glucose is a form of sugar that our bodies use for energy, excess glucose gets stored as fat when it is not used up. Look to drink light beers, champagne and wine spritzers and perhaps alternate alcoholic drinks with glasses of still water.

6.  Eat little and often - I t has been documented that eating 6 small meals per day increases your metabolism.  Metabolism is the mechanism that burns the food you consume.  By eating small meals every 3-4 hours, you are encouraging your body to burn fat rather than store it.

7.  Exercise - I know you are all asking how could you possibly fit in exercise at this time of year when you are already flat out trying to keep up with all the extra tasks you have to do, but if you incorporate short, intensive periods of exercise into your week on a regular basis you will succeed in increasing your metabolism, feeling less stressed and will give you more energy.

8.  I know I can’t count!  One of the best tips I can offer is to get support from friends, family and if you can’t get support offline, find a community that backs you to the hilt online, such as Club FYM.  There is no other support system like it that will have you making new friends, losing the weight you want, toning up your body and mind and having FUN!  Go check it out …

I invite you to go get our free report, “Top 5 Busy Mom Metabolism Boosters” for more metabolism boosting tips.