The holidays are full of food temptations just waiting to ensnare unsuspecting victims. Paired with cold weather, this combination can make it extra difficult to exercise and stick to a balanced diet – a perfect storm for weight gain.

But don’t fret. You don’t have to be too restrictive about the foods you eat amidst the festivities. Impossible as it might seem, avoiding weight gain during the holidays is quite doable with a bit of work.

Implement these 10 simple strategies to avoid putting on weight that you’ll regret in a week or two:

Stick to an exercise routine

Cold weather can make it difficult to follow through on an exercise routine. But since you can expect a lot of foods to come your way during the holidays, bailing out on exercise shouldn’t be an option. Devote 30 minutes or so in the mornings to a quick routine with doable exercises.

Watch what you eat

Be mindful of the foods you pile onto your plate. It’s a lot easier to avoid eating junk foods than it is to lose weight, so you might want to take a hard look at the foods you tend to go for, especially during the holidays. It’s also important to pay attention to your hunger and fullness signals to avoid eating more than what your body needs. Make sure you hit all the essential food groups like grains, vegetables, fruits and meat.

Stock up on nutritious kitchen staples

Nutritious kitchen staples like whole grains, oatmeal, pasta and nuts can help encourage you to whip up low-calorie but filling meals. Well-stocked pantries also eliminate the need to eat out, which can be very tempting during the holidays. Keeping the pantries full of nutrient-rich foods also leave little to no room for sweets and junk food.

Hydrate

Dehydration can fool you into thinking you’re hungry even when you’re not. Drink water to curb food temptations and flush out lingering toxins. You can also opt for healthy beverages like herbal teas, coffee and homemade fruit juices instead of soda and eggnog.

Avoid binge-eating desserts

Certain foods like pumpkin pies, pudding, eggnog and gingerbread cookies only make an appearance during the holiday season. While indulging in these desserts won’t cause you to gain weight overnight, it’s still important to remember not to go overboard with these sugar-loaded foods. Allow yourself a few special treats, but don’t overdo it.

Limit alcohol consumption

As with desserts, you should also watch your alcohol consumption. A glass of wine or one bottle of beer won’t hurt. But too much alcohol can lead to abdominal weight gain as well as fat buildup in the liver, which can have some serious consequences. Drink plenty of water after each glass or bottle of alcohol and avoid drinking two days in a row.

Start meal planning

Meal planning is another good practice to adopt. Although not a diet method, meal planning gives you a bird’s eye view of the meals you’ll have for the entire week. Meal planning allows you to pre-portion foods ahead of time so you don’t risk overeating or binge-eating the rest of your stock.

Eat immune-boosting foods

Since a lot of festive meals, desserts and snacks are a lot less nutritious, it is important to strengthen the immune system. This ensures you do not get sick from a lack of vitamins and minerals. Immune-boosting foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains also enhance metabolism.

Increase probiotic intake

Probiotics, such as those found in fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, help maintain optimal gut health. These good bacteria ensure that your digestive system and metabolism are in tip-top shape. Adequate levels of probiotics also help regulate bowel movement, which encourages weight loss.

Get enough sleep

Sleep has a significant role in appetite. Lack of sleep can encourage appetite and make it difficult for you to feel full, which can drive you to eat more portions or to snack in between meals. Make sure you get at least seven to nine hours of sleep to ensure you do not sabotage the hormones that regulate appetite, hunger and metabolism.

Avoiding holiday weight gain is no easy feat, but it’s also not as hard as it might seem. Follow these tips as you enjoy the holiday season with friends and family. This way, you won’t feel like you’re bursting at the seams – literally – once the new year comes around. Plus, you get a headstart for next year’s weight loss goals.

For more tips on weight loss and proper weight management, visit Slender.news.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

SleepFoundation.org