3 Habits to Help with Holiday Weight Control
By Virginia Laird
There is not hardly a person across the nation who hasn’t or won’t ever know the struggle of weight control. Sadly, some deal with the battle day after day, while others only deal with this issue in various seasons of life. No matter, the holidays (and its luscious food) can accompany the unwelcomed fight with the waist. There are many who may attempt to diet; however, during the season of sweets and treats a diet may not seem appealing. Healthcare professionals and personal trainers recommend establishing healthy habits to help prevent packing on the holiday pounds. These habits can include:
- Make a plan
- Use a small plate
- Make time to exercise
Make a Plan
Weight loss specialist and fitness gurus advise it is best to make a plan when it comes to attending holiday parties. You will inevitably be surrounded by a plethora of sweets and treats which can tempt even the best of dieters. Making a plan can help you avoid the unwanted pounds that can accompany the overeating of holiday food. Plans can be simple or complex, but the plan needs to be something you can live by. A few ideas can include:
- Avoid drinking your calories by sticking to water only
- Make only one trip to the buffet
- Allow yourself two treats you would never eat any other time of the year
- Hit the buffet after you have greeted each person at the party
Use a Small Plate
Small plates are best while enjoying the party. These do not hold as much food as a larger plate, which can translate to fewer calories because the plate holds less food. If there is a choice of plate size, always reach for the smaller one.
Make Time to Exercise
Between cleaning the house, making the dinners, getting the holiday shopping completed and attending parties, it can be hard to find time and energy to get in your exercise. While it can be tempting to skip out, it is best to make time to get in some form of workout. This can help burn the extra calories from all the holiday goodies you will encounter this season. Personal trainers recommend at least 20 minutes of exercise three to four times a week to help prevent weight gain.
If you aren’t ready to commit to all of these healthy habits, select one that you can commit to and get it started. Now get out there and enjoy your holiday party!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Winston-Salem, N.C.