Well the traditional winter holidays are almost upon us once again. The New England Journal of Medicine went so far as conduct a study on the winter weight gain to prove it a fact or a myth. The study concluded that we do in fact gain holiday weight between the months of November to February; also reporting we do not normally LOSE that added weight over the course of the following year. So each winter we add fluff to our body and do not burn off that fluff in the warmer months. You can see how this adds to the uphill battle of the bulge for a lot of us! So…how do we prevent that?
Come on…you should know the answer by now…PLAN! It is not like holiday treats are sprung upon you at your relatives, or in your own home and office parties and you have no idea what you should do. Panic sets in and you eat and eat and eat…ok no that is not what you do. I also don’t think self deprivation is the answer at all here. So, here are some tips as well as a yummy recipe to share at the next party you go to in order to help stave off the holiday blubber and increase your focus on your own fitness journey. (the NEJM calls this “self regulation methods”)
Weigh yourself daily
Starting your day off with a measured weigh in gives you a basic start point each day. A number you can keep a close eye on and keep in check when you walk by the party foods and prepare your own holiday feasts. Knowing the number is steady or even lowering is a good motivator to keep you looking forward vs. sliding that belt looser as you belly up to the buffet.
Water it down
We all know…drink water to help mobilize stored fat. Keep a tally of your water intake. Drink water before the office party, at the office party and after the party itself. This helps keep you full and of course the walks to the bathroom offers you an extra calorie burn as well as time away from the snacking table.
Eat before you go
Have your planned healthy meal making sure it has good amounts of healthy fats to keep you fuller longer. Keep the protein in to make sure you have that feeling of eating something with substance, don’t look for celery sticks to save you from the rum cake!
Caffeine Rush
Have a nice hot cup of coffee in your hand. The caffeine will help suppress appetite, enhance your mood and the warmth of the coffee will give you a sated feeling in your belly as well. Just be sure to skip the super sugar and fat laden drive up varieties. Adding a dash of cinnamon to the java gives you more of a festive feel and a slight metabolic boost. YUM!
Sample the Menu
By now you KNOW calories and serving sizes and what is too much and what is a sample. So, don’t be afraid of the food just choose wisely! Have small tastes of 3 or 4 foods that you just can’t seem to take your eyes off of. It is OK to sample, I give you permission. You won’t gain 100 pounds from a small sampling of treats and you know how to work those samples off in the gym.
Here is a wonderful recipe that you can also prepare to bring with you. You can share your fitness journey with your companions AND enjoy a rich seasonal dessert try our Pumpkin Custard.
Last but not least, remember you need to be accountable. You can utilize our fitness forum 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and always with no charge. You can ask advice, offer advice and look to find more motivation and encouragement that you DO need to have success on your fitness journey. Studies do show people are far more likely to stick to a program of diet and fitness if you are held accountable outside of your own self. Imagine it like we are all following you around watching you pick your food choices and making sure you get to the gym to get your workouts in……we are stalking you into wellness!
With all that said, please enjoy your holidays and remain honest and true to your own goals. I am always just an email away!
In Health
Maureen Jeanson
Co-Author to Squeaky Gourmet
