It's that time of the year. Halloween is right around the corner and then there's Thanksgiving and Christmas. Are you prepared to stick with your diet? If you're already nibbling on Halloween candy, chances are you need to make a few tweaks to make sure you don't gain weight this holiday season. Whether you work to stay focused or learn to say no, you can make it through the holidays. Here are just five tips for making it through the holidays without gaining weight.
Stay Focused
It's so easy to lose focus during the holiday season. The reason is there's so much going on that many of us get distracted. Throw in the fact that you're usually baking for parties and family events and it's hard to not blow your diet. It helps to make a list of what's important to you and why you want to lose weight. This can make it much easier to pass on that second piece of pumpkin pie.
Reevaluate Your Meals
Have you started fixing stick-to-your-ribs meals to beat the cold weather? While there's nothing wrong with a good soup, many cold weather meals are loaded with fat and calories. Sit down and create a menu that warms the body, but is also healthy.
Find Ways to Stay Fit in Cold Weather
Just because the weather has turned cool doesn't mean you can stop working out. While you may want to hibernate, you need to keep up with your fitness routine. Whether you jump on your treadmill or hit the gym, you need to keep exercising. This will also help keep those added calories from baked goods from going to your hips.
Set Small Goals
Don't overwhelm yourself during the holiday season. There is so much going on that trying to lose 20 pounds is unreasonable. You need to set small goals. For example, you might make a goal to lose 1 pound a week and during the biggest weeks of the holiday season make a goal to simply maintain your weight.
Learn to Say No
Last, but not least, you must learn to say no. I can't count the times during the holidays where friends and families have turned into food pushers. Whether it's candy or cake, you need to learn to say no. Don't listen to how it will hurt someone's feelings. Your health is more important than someone's feelings.
The holiday season can be the perfect excuse to let things slide, but that doesn't mean you have to. Take the time to gather your thoughts and do what it takes to avoid gaining weight this holiday season.
