12 Tips to Help Control Your Weight Through the Holidays

Apples in Snow with 12 Tips to Control WeightBeware the festive 15!

Even if you have superhuman willpower, the holiday season is a challenging time for everyone. Staying on track can seem so daunting, you feel like swan-diving into the eggnog and sending your sensible routine into hibernation until the New Year. But, as we all know, excess pounds don’t disappear along with the decorations. And nobody wants to start the New Year with even more weight challenges than you had before. It turns out, there’s no need to. Check out our 12 tips for a no-gain season. You can indulge and still wake up the same size (or less!) come New Year’s Day.

Get plenty of potassium

This nutrient counterbalances sodium, so you retain less water. Our favorite potassium possibilities: bananas, papayas, kiwis, strawberries, and cantaloupe. Or serve up some asparagus or dandelion greens to get the bonus of a natural diuretic.

Chew slowly

When your to-do list is never-ending, it’s hard to make yourself downshift your eating speed, even at mealtime. But eating fast is a quick recipe for an expanded waistline. Here’s why: The faster you eat, the more food can get in your stomach before your brain knows you’ve eaten. Try to remember to chew slowly and enjoy every bite!

Eat your H20

Instead of trying to drink eight glasses of water (near impossible when you’re busy), have a green salad with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette and a few slices of avocado. These water-rich foods will help keep you hydrated, so that everything moves through your system faster.

Avoid morning-after food

Have the night of your life, then send guests home with food-filled Tupperware. It’s the leftovers that can do you in!

Don’t swear off desserts

But practice the three-bite rule to keep your sweet tooth in check. You’ll still get that amazing first taste, then a satisfying middle one, and then a lingering third bite to savour.

Concentrate your workouts

So what if you can’t get to your favorite yoga class or find time for the treadmill? Even 15 minutes of exercise can help you maintain your fitness level. For example, jumping rope for 15 minutes burns about 190 calories; a quick yoga sequence at home can help you stay flexible.

Avoid banking calories

Cutting back all day so you can indulge at an event that night only sets you up for a night of eating that you will regret. Why? Because you’re starving! It’s easy to get out of control when you’re faced with high-calorie choices. Be sure to eat your three squares and a couple of snacks. Aim for lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein.

Be picky, picky, picky

Peruse the buffet before you load your plate to avoid foods you don’t really want. If, for instance, you could take or leave sushi but adore sliders, don’t start with the tuna rolls hoping to be able to resist the two-bite burger. Pick the foods you really enjoy and have them in moderation. You’ll stave off cravings that can get you in trouble later on.

Start your day with a bang

Exercising in the morning can help ensure better behavior all day long, according to a study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Using brain scans, researchers found that when women worked out in the a.m., they not only moved more the rest of the day, but they also responded less to pictures of tempting food compared with the days they didn’t do a morning workout.

Try and cut down serving size

If you’re given a certain size slice of cake, you will tend to eat all of it. And if someone cuts you a slice that is 50% bigger, you will still eat all of it. You’re influenced by the serving size. Try and cut down your serving size of food and also alcohol (smaller glasses) and it will lead to you eating and drinking less.

Have something before the party

You know what happens when you turn up to a party starving? You eat anything they give you! Hunger can sabotage your resolve. To prevent yourself turning up hungry, have a light snack (80 calories or so) beforehand.

With these tips and a strong resolve, you can have a happy and healthy holiday season and a great start to the New Year! From the SmartShape Team, wishing you all the best this holiday season and in 2018!

 

If you would like to learn how SmartShape could help you to lose weight and keep it off, visit our website at http://bit.ly/AboutSmartShape or call one of our Program Advisors today at (888) 278-7952 to set up a personal consult with one of our Surgeons. As many of our patients say, it’s the best gift you could ever give yourself!

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