by Kerry Taylor
Okay it’s here, sweet!! The holiday season has arrived, and with these holidays comes a ton of parties and gatherings, even better. But If you want to be careful of overdoing it at these events when it comes to your food consumption and making the right choices, then here are a few tips you can put into play.
Keep it business as usual
Whatever your schedule is to eat, stay on course. By doing this it will help prevent you from showing up at a gathering ready to eat the whole left side of the table. Do not starve yourself to chow down later, because it is harder to slow down and eat reasonable portions at that point.
Don’t show up empty handed
If you bring a dish that is on the healthier side at least you know you have one great option for yourself amongst some possible not-so-great choices. I’m sure the options you have will have at your gatherings will have some creams and gravy to go with them. That alone will boost your calorie consumption through the roof. So be on the safe side and take a little ownership, and share it with others around you.
Take a step away from the table
Who doesn’t like seconds this time of year? I know it’s not just me, lol. But before you go back for more, have some water and take 5 minutes to let things settle a bit. Decide if you need it or are you having it for the social aspect of eating and being with everyone?
Pay attention to what’s in your glass
At a lot of these gatherings you will more than likely have a lot of options to fill your glass with wine, beer, soda, egg nog, specialty mixed drinks, and I’m sure other concoctions. Be careful of the non-alcohol options, they may be high in sugar and calories. Don’t jump the gun, you still need to keep an eye on the alcoholic drinks, they can be high in sugar and calories as well, but also have a way of getting us to devour not the greatest choices late at night. So be careful, if you can, add a glass of water in between drinks to help off set the amount you may drink.
Stay consistent
Keep on your training program, it will help to combat any negative changes in your weight or how your body is feeling.
Pull it back together
If you are saying to yourself, “Well Kerry, I’m good all the time. I’m going to enjoy myself!” Great to hear!! Knock yourself out, enjoy every bit of it, BUT be sure to pull it back together the next day or when you’re done traveling. The hard part is when we just let the snowball continue to gather momentum going downhill. It started small, but without something to stop it or slow it down it becomes a snowball the size of a small asteroid. Let a friend know, a coach know, or put it in your calendar so it helps to get you back on track.
All in all, if weight gain is not a part of your plan for the holidays and trying to stay on the healthier side is a goal of yours, apply some of these strategies as you maneuver your way through the holiday season. Until next time, continue to live life, one degree above the rest.