Ah, the holiday season—where joy and gluttony dance a delicate tango! With all those tempting holiday treats and festive gatherings, it’s easy to feel like your often-rigid diet plan is teetering on the edge of disaster. And let’s face it, who hasn’t found themselves scoping out the dessert table while pretending they’re just there to ‘help out’ with the serving? But, here’s a little secret: The average weight gain during this merry period is under 2 pounds! So why stress over the numbers when you could simply enjoy the magic of the season? That said, if you’re keen on dodging any post-holiday regret—just like how I aim to dodge awkward conversations with my relatives—I’ve got 14 straightforward tips that’ll help you maintain that merry balance between indulgence and wellness. Let’s keep those festive vibes alive and worry a little less about holiday weight gain—sound good? LEARN MORE.
It’s that time of the year we have been waiting for again! The holiday season means celebrations, family get-togethers, and scrumptious food. But let’s be honest—while it’s a feast for the senses, it can also stir up a bit of stress, especially when you start thinking about those holiday pounds.
Even though the average weight gain during the holidays is under 2 pounds, people worry about how indulging in holiday food will affect their health goals. But obsessing over weight and missing out on the magic of the season is counterintuitive (as you may have guessed). What is the solution?
Staying active during the holidays can be tough with all the gatherings, delicious food, and busy schedules. But don’t let worries about weight gain ruin your festive vibes! Here are 14 easy ways to worry less about holiday weight gain.
Filling yourself with vegetables and fruits is always the best idea if you don’t want to stress about weight gain after you return to your routine.
Produce is a vital part of a healthy diet, and some can even help with weight loss. The fiber in produce keeps you feeling full and helps you stay regular (aka, not bloated). For instance, grapefruit is low on the glycemic index, and a study shows that a low-GI diet can support weight loss and maintenance.
When your vacation/holiday mode is on, you tend to nibble on every treat in sight. They’re easy to grab, and you might find yourself snacking even when you’re not hungry. However, mindless munching can lead to excessive weight gain if you are not careful.
What can you do instead? Consider healthier snacking options, such as nuts or seeds, that don’t contain artificial sugars or unhealthy fats, which are the leading causes of weight gain.
Sacrificing sleep during the holidays might seem easy, but it has some unexpected downsides. When you catch those Zzzs, your body gets a chance to recharge and repair itself for another fun-filled day. Without enough sleep, you’ll feel lazier than ever, and who wants to be sluggish when the holiday season is in full swing?
In addition, lack of sleep slows down your metabolism, makes you feel grumpy, disturbs your thinking patterns, and even makes you feel hungrier. This leads to consuming more calories, increasing your chances of gaining weight.
Nothing feels better than sipping spiked apple cider under the twinkling Christmas lights. But hold on—too many drinks can sneak in a few extra pounds. Many festive cocktails contain alcohol, soda, and a hefty amount of sugar, which means they’re just empty calories.
In addition, cocktail contents like alcohol cause increased appetite and reduce willpower to resist these salty, greasy foods that come your way, causing potential weight gain.
Holidays are full of carb-rich and calorie-dense foods, which can cause unwanted weight gain. However, I have a tasty solution to keep this extra baggage at bay. How about loading up on protein-rich foods such as chicken, turkey, and fish?
Studies show that a protein-rich diet can help reduce hunger and rev up the metabolism, boosting appetite-reducing hormones and keeping your weight in healthy ranges.
What are holidays without desserts? While it’s totally fine to treat yourself now and then, going overboard might cause extra pounds to sneak up on you.
The sweetness of desserts is delectable for your taste buds, but excessive sugar causes weight gain. It’s better to limit yourself to your favorites and skip the rest.
Enjoying holiday treats is fun, but gaining weight and stressing about it later doesn’t sound so fun. You can avoid it by being mindful not to overload your plate.
If you have a habit of overeating, use a smaller plate or control your portion size. You can do this by using your plate as a guide. Research also shows that portion plates help to achieve weight loss in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Lazing around all day while on a holiday is the best feeling ever. However, this inactivity may cause you to gain weight. Research recommends doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily to avoid weight gain.
You can stay active by going on walks with your friends and family or by signing up for volunteer work that requires physical activity.
Processed foods such as cookies, chips, and candies are sneaky calorie bombs. They consist of artificial additives and unhealthy fats, which can make you sluggish and overweight.
Although these foods provide an instant sugar boost, the added energy doesn’t last long. You can make your food from scratch and use fresh vegetables and fruits instead of the packaged ones.
Being hydrated throughout the holidays can prevent bloating and hunger pangs. Water also keeps your skin glowing and supports digestion. Science says that having water before meals can help to reduce appetite and thus aid weight loss.
That’s why rather than chugging the sugar-loaded drinks or cocktails, keeping a bottle of water close by is better.
Setting realistic weight loss goals and stepping on the scale regularly can keep you on the right track. This way, you’ll avoid overeating throughout the holiday season.
According to a small-scale survey in 2021, regular self-weighing helped people lose weight more effectively. This is a great strategy as long as weight-ins don’t cause you extra stress.
You can be the star of the holiday parties with healthy yet yummy homemade food amidst all the calorie-rich items.
You can choose crunchy, vibrant salads, protein bites, or home-baked goods. You can also switch some ingredients, such as using stevia instead of sugar or baking or grilling meat instead of frying.
The biggest mistake you can make is to head to a party with a growling stomach. This can lead to overeating when you reach the place.
You can try eating a handful of nuts or some salad before you leave. This will satisfy you and help you eat in moderation.
Keeping up with the gatherings, to-dos, and family time during holidays can be overwhelming. But don’t let yourself get caught up in it.
People who are stressed release cortisol, a hormone that can lead to excessive food consumption if it’s elevated for too long.
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Aqsa is a passionate writer who loves spending her free time jotting down her thoughts. But that’s not all. She is a devoted mom to two boys and a skilled pharmacist specializing in hematology. When she’s not running after her energetic kids, you can find her lost in a good book or writing beautiful words. A nature lover at heart, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and always seeking ways to learn new things.