Tips For Staying Slim This Holiday Season
Andrea Metcalf

The average weight gain through the holidays is eight pounds -- but you don't have to skip the turkey to keep your weight in place. Survive this holiday season without feeling like an overstuffed bird. Here are my favorite tips to help avoid holiday weight gain and make better choices so that you still have fun at your celebrations.

Avoid Starving Yourself Throughout The Day

Not eating the day of a big party or any time during the week will slow down your metabolism. This means you will store more FAT. Eat at least three times per day including veggies or fruits and protein at each meal.


Never attend a party on an empty Belly

Eat a healthy snack before you leave the house or carry one in your car. (Apples, nuts, whole grain bars, and water store well without worry). We are less apt to overeat if we feel full.

Fresh Breath Wins Friends

Chewing gum will not only freshen your breath when you enter the party, but helps deter the urge to eat unwanted extra calories. This tip also helps when cooking or baking for the holidays.

Eat, Drink Water And Be Merry

What you chose to eat at the holiday spread is important -- choose protein over sugar and clear sauces over creamy. Fill up on fiber like vegetables, fruits and avoid the crackers and breads. And drink water, water, water. Remember to have a glass of water between beverages with alcohol for less calories and less hang over.

Park It Away

It's the best time of year to sneak in a bit more exercise. Park the car away from the store and walk, walk, walk. Remember that even 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise improves circulation, burns calories and will give you more energy. Strength training is important, too. An extra 5 pounds of muscle will burn 50 extra calories while you are sleeping.

Get To Bed

Do your best to get to bed early on the days that you can. Being tired not only makes you cranky, it makes you crave sugar and caffeine. Take 15 minute naps before the evening parties to feel rested and avoid the sugar binges. Studies show that lack of sleep changes the way your body metabolizes fat and promotes weight gain.

No Loitering

Hanging out by the food buffet will only temp you to overeat. Take a plate and walk away. Position yourself at a party so that you have to make a conscious effort to walk across the room to reach the bar or buffet. Those extra steps will also burn a few calories and every little bit helps.

Move It To Lose It!

It's never too late to start a regular exercise program. Don't wait for the New Year to make your resolution. Start with small steps and start moving. Check out the weekly fitness segments on www.nbc5.com/fitness for tips on keeping the weight off throughout this holiday season. Follow along with our Polar Bear Bootcamp and get moving!

Source: http://www.nbc5.com/holidays/10315606/detail.html

I think this article offers good reminders on how to stay slim during the holiday season. I usually try to get ample rest and try to avoid starving myself throughout the day of a party and I try to eat at least three meals in a day. I also try to fill up on protein and veggies and not loiter around the buffet table. Of course I’m not perfect on all my attempts to stay on plan, but I have learned through God’s grace and help to work on minimizing the damage during the holidays. I try to really enjoy myself with fellowship with my family and friends while not taking the attitude of just throwing in the towel where food choices are concerned, because from my past experiences that often led to unwanted consequences, later. :)

:god: ALL

Have a prosperous and fruitful Thanksgiving. :)

Thanks for the article Annette! How are things with you these days? A little bird told me you were hanging out here so you probably wouldn't have seen my post in the challenge. What I said was that I think of you often and there are times if I'm discouraged by my lack of progress that the Lord brings you to my mind. I'm reminded that with Him, through Him and I should have said because of Him all things are possible to him/her that believes. You are living proof (not that its needed) that God's Word is true. As one lady put it to me, you're a blessed testimony.

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I don't know if you watch Living the Life but they had a segment with upcoming holidays. They fixed 4 plates. The first was typical holiday fare and it was well in the 2000 for calories. Then they took the same plate and reduced it some by substituting a few things. It brought it to the 1500's I think. Well long story short, they showed the last plate at about 400-500 calories and it had a taste of a couple favorites and the rest was fruits and veggies. They said it didn't make one feel so deprived and if memory serves me correctly they too said to fill up on fun and fellowship instead of food too.

Now that I know you're here regularly, I'll get with you here. Enjoy your day!

Thanks for the holiday article, Annette. We are eating at a restaurant and will have no leftovers or desserts to contend with. I started this practice when I was losing weight, and fell away. Back with my new tradition.
May your Thanksgiving Day be blessed. I am thankful to know you through the years.

DENISE

Denise, I think that that’s simply put, “fill up on fun and fellowship instead of food”, and I remember it in the upcoming days because I’m going to visit my relatives, today in the San Francisco area. I plan on filling up on family fellowship. :)

Denise, how sweet it is to know that I’m in your thoughts and that the Lord has allowed me to be an inspiration to you. I had the pleasure of reading your post.

That’s such a wonderful promise, Denise, to know that all things are possible… even our individual weight management goals. :)

MATTHEW 19:26 …with God all things are possible."

DEAR EDITOR

I think that that is a wonderful practice. You enjoy your meal at a restaurant and then you go home, without extra food. That’s a fantastic strategy.

I have really enjoyed the information, fellowship, and sharing on this forum for all these years, and I’m looking forward to many years to come. :)

I miss you all and you are all in my thoughts and prayers and I am looking forward to many of you to join the Maintainer’s Hall of Fame, because I know that you will be blessed and that all things are possible to them that believe and do the word of God.

:god: ALL

I'm hoping you all have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING today, because I will be leaving shortly for a out of town visit for a few days and will not on the boards. I’ll talk to you when I get back. :)