Maintain, Don’t Gain During the Holidays - The 5 Do’s & Don’ts of Surviving the Holidays Without the Weight Gain Part 2

The holiday season is filled with joy, celebration, and let’s face it—lots of food! It’s the time of year when most of us are trying to balance enjoying festive treats without packing on the extra pounds that could creep into the new year. 

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are my five do's of holiday eating to help you navigate those delicious holiday parties without derailing your fitness goals.

1. Do Wear Your Skinny Jeans to Dinner

This might sound counterintuitive, but trust me on this one! When you show up to Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday party in your comfiest sweatpants, you’re already subconsciously leaving room to expand. Instead, rock those skinny jeans that fit just right. Wearing something that hugs your body will keep you mindful of how much you’re eating, and you’re less likely to go overboard. 

Plus, you’ll walk in feeling good and confident, ready to focus on spending time with family rather than filling your plate to the brim.

2. Do Go with the Goal of Socializing

Holiday parties are all about connecting with loved ones and catching up. Go into these events with the mindset that your main goal is to socialize, not just to eat. If you’re there to enjoy people’s company, you’ll naturally spend more time chatting and less time picking at the buffet table. 

Bonus tip: Don’t hang out by the food table! Staying close to the snacks makes it way too easy to mindlessly nibble on chips, cookies, or those little appetizers. Instead, position yourself in the living room, or wherever the conversation is flowing, and enjoy the people around you.

3. Do Skip the Extras

You know what I’m talking about—the extra gravy, the second helping of mashed potatoes with extra butter, the extra slice of pie. All those “extras” may seem small, but they add up fast! Remember, fat calories (from butter, oil, etc.) are higher than carbs or protein. For every gram of fat, you’re looking at 9 calories versus 4 calories for protein or carbs. So, enjoy your meal but keep the portions of those extras in check. You don’t need to drown your food in butter or gravy for it to taste good. Be mindful, and keep it light where you can.

4. Do Alternate Festive Drinks with Sparkling Water

If you’re planning on indulging in a festive cocktail (because, let’s be real, holiday drinks can be delicious) try alternating between your drink of choice and sparkling water. Alcohol not only adds calories but also slows down your metabolism because your body focuses on metabolizing the alcohol first. That means anything else you eat while drinking may be stored as fat instead of being burned for energy. If you’re having a drink, try pacing yourself by sipping on sparkling water in between—it’s festive, refreshing, and helps you stay mindful of your intake.

5. Do Include Small Indulgences Throughout the Week

This one might surprise you, but having small indulgences throughout the week can actually help you stay on track. Why? Because when you deprive yourself Monday through Friday, by the time the weekend (or that holiday party) rolls around, you’re more likely to overdo it. Instead, plan for small treats—a square of chocolate, a couple of bites of cake, or your favorite holiday cookie. Savor it, enjoy it, and move on. This way, you won’t feel like you’re missing out, and you’re less likely to overindulge when temptation strikes.

And here’s a fun fact: Studies suggest that the first two bites of a treat are when your brain gets the most pleasure. After that, the effect diminishes, so you don’t need more than a couple of bites to feel satisfied. Take that cake to go, share it, or just enjoy a bite or two and feel proud that you indulged without overdoing it.

Remember, the holidays are about enjoying yourself and spending time with loved ones. By following these simple tips, you can avoid weight gain and make this a healthy and happy holiday season.If you’re a woman working on your weight loss journey, join my free support group where I go deeper with training on nutrition, fitness, and mindset.   You can join us over at www.fitandconfidentmoms.com 

Rose Peterson is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach and Founder of RP Fitness & Nutrition. Since 2017, she has helped clients locally and remotely all over the world, reach their health and fitness goals while also creating structure, consistency, and healthy habits for lifelong success.

To learn more about working with Coach Rose, visit www.coachrosepeterson.com

For your complimentary consultation you can email Coach Rose at hello@coachrosepeterson.com