Avoid the Seasonal Seven

Four days after the Halloween festival was over, I walked into a local convenience store and noticed a change in the candy display. By November 4^th the Halloween candy was off the shelf and in its place the candy for the next great holiday season. November has always served as a reminder to me that the season for the food carnival is about to kickoff. The holiday season, Thanksgiving to New Years, is undoubtedly a time for getting together. Unfortunately, the average adult in our society does a little too much celebrating this time of year and before you know it your pants are fitting a little tighter or you’re putting another notch in the belt. Party after party, indulging in extra helpings of high-calorie food, snacking on seasonal treats, and little to no workout time contribute to the seasonal seven, the average weight most adults gain between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Buck the trend, there are ways to find balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle during the season of over indulgence. Here are some tips to help minimize the seasonal weight gain while enjoying this festive time of year.

1)      Eat when you normally eat. Don’t skip meals if you are going to be attending a holiday party. You may think that you are saving calories for the gathering, but by the time you arrive at the party, you are so hungry you actually eat more calories than you normally would have.

2)      Keep moving. One of the most effective ways to maintain your weight is to engage in regular physical activity. To burn off the extra indulgences (calories) give your exercise program a boost. If you exercise 30 minutes a day, increase it to 45 minutes, if you exercise three times a week kick it up to five times.

3)      Drink Water. We don’t drink enough water. Unless you are on a fluid restriction because of medical reason, you should be drinking a minimum of 64 ounces. Another reason to drink water, we as humans cannot tell the difference between thirst and hunger. Many times when we are thirsty we eat when we could have quenched our hunger away.

4)      Monitor Alcohol. Alcohol stimulates appetite and decreases self-control, which can lead to over-eating. Limit the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed, you will not only save calories from the beverages but also the additional calories from the higher fat foods they promote to eat.

5)      Go Healthy First. When you first start eating at a party go for the fruit/veggie tray first. The fiber from these no-fat foods will help you feel full.

6)      Look for the Lean Meats. Eat the turkey or other lean meats and avoid the meat smothered in sauces.

7)      It’s Okay to Say No. Many times you feel forced to eat food because someone keeps placing it in front of you. It is okay to politely say “no thank you". You won’t hurt any feelings and you may find saying no isn’t all that difficult to do.

8)      Move Away. Once you get your food, move away from the buffet table. By getting away, you won’t be tempted or have the tendency to food graze while you are talking to friends or family.

9)      Plan Ahead. Before you go to a party, create and keep to a plan in regards to the holiday treats.