5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

The old idea of "gaining 20 pounds over the holidays" doesn't have to be an inescapable truth. Like any other time of the year, our health depends on the choices we make. Although we may need to be a bit more creative and tactful with our actions, ultimately you're still the only one in control of your body! So now might be the right time to decide if you have a goal list, or just a wish list?

1. Plan! Plan! Plan!

Number one, just simply be moderately aware of your overall meal plans for the holidays. You can not make an action plan without knowing what you're up against, let alone execute that plan. This is a simple one but arguably the most important.

2. Pregame

So this might normally be associated with a night on the town or the hour or so leading up to a tailgate, but this can be applied in a healthy manner when it comes to food as well. Once you've planned out your holiday activities, formulate your plan for what you're going to eat in the time before and/or after the festivities. Chances are that you're going to eat at least one meal that is not at your holiday destination (breakfast while getting stuff together, dinner after a long day of being with the family). It's very easy to take the attitude, "Well I've already eaten like crap so might as well keep going." That is how a downhill spiral starts and it's difficult to stop it's momentum once it starts. So meal prep something healthy the night before and this will also help curb your appetite where you still enjoy the family meal but have already filled up on some healthier choices beforehand.

3. Make The Best Of It

Ok, so you're at Thanksgiving dinner or the Christmas party and you're already knee deep in carb-y goodness. What do you do? Well, look objectively at your options. I can't say what every family does for their holiday meals, but some the most stereotypical entrees are ham and/or turkey. Now aside from the additives and various methods of cooking, what doesn't change about these two foods? Protein! As for turkey, opting for the breast portion makes for a leaner protein source. This doesn't mean you should take the attitude that these are healthy options in general as the fat, sodium and calorie content can really be excessive depending on how their prepared. But, thinking in these terms re-frames your mindset a bit and provokes you into looking for alternatives and ways to adapt instead of just accepting defeat.

4. Start Exercising NOW!!!

Do not wait until the hustle and bustle of the holidays are upon you to make some changes. If you wait until then, it's more likely you'll be unable to make such radical changes while maintaining the pace you need to keep up with holiday commitments. Therefore, it is important to start exercising now so that it becomes a part of your daily routine before the big parties start hitting you hard and fast! Starting today, make it a point to walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. That's it. Then see how much easier that post dinner walk is once you've already been at it for a few weeks.

5. Be Real With Yourself

The reality is that if you spent every weekend having a different Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner at a different family member or friend's house, that would still be only 14-28% of the entire time throughout the entire months of November and December. That means, that ultimately if you're even a little focused on your nutrition, your weight can easily make it through relatively unscathed. So remember, it's not what you do at Thanksgiving dinner, it's what you do before and after that matters.