Weight Management during the Holidays
Perhaps it's the looming holidays that has you wondering how you will manage yet another year of holiday parties and the inevitable New Year's resolution that follows. Losing weight is difficult. Add the challenge of the end-of-the-year parties and the thought can be downright scary!
Planning a few strategies now will save you weeks or even months of agonizing next year. Here's some healthy ideas to get you started down the right path:
Plan ahead. Understand that holiday parties are "high risk" situations for everyone. Decide in advance what options will work best for you.
Here are some "maintenance" methods that have been successful for others:
1. Eat something before you leave for the party. A salad or a serving of soup is nutritious and will curb your appetite later. Since you are not famished you will not be as likely to over-eat at the party.
2. If you are going to drink alcohol, alternate between your favorite cocktail and a low calorie drink or water.
3. Stand far away from the food table while socializing so you will not be tempted.
4. Use a small plate and fill it partially full only once. Survey the food and decide what you want the most instead of sampling each item.
5. Mingle, mingle, mingle! Enjoy the people and conversations you are going to have.
6. If you do blow it, don't beat yourself up! Remember it takes 3500 calories to create one pound. It does not mean you have to repeat the process tomorrow. It does not mean you have lost control and should give up!
7. Increase your walk by 1/4 mi. (5 minutes) for the next week to burn some extra calories.
Remember: The only time you fail is the last time you try! Weight Management is a life-long commitment to a healthier lifestyle. The payoff is greater than the sacrifice.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season,
Denise Williams, CLC
Planning a few strategies now will save you weeks or even months of agonizing next year. Here's some healthy ideas to get you started down the right path:
Plan ahead. Understand that holiday parties are "high risk" situations for everyone. Decide in advance what options will work best for you.
Here are some "maintenance" methods that have been successful for others:
1. Eat something before you leave for the party. A salad or a serving of soup is nutritious and will curb your appetite later. Since you are not famished you will not be as likely to over-eat at the party.
2. If you are going to drink alcohol, alternate between your favorite cocktail and a low calorie drink or water.
3. Stand far away from the food table while socializing so you will not be tempted.
4. Use a small plate and fill it partially full only once. Survey the food and decide what you want the most instead of sampling each item.
5. Mingle, mingle, mingle! Enjoy the people and conversations you are going to have.
6. If you do blow it, don't beat yourself up! Remember it takes 3500 calories to create one pound. It does not mean you have to repeat the process tomorrow. It does not mean you have lost control and should give up!
7. Increase your walk by 1/4 mi. (5 minutes) for the next week to burn some extra calories.
Remember: The only time you fail is the last time you try! Weight Management is a life-long commitment to a healthier lifestyle. The payoff is greater than the sacrifice.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season,
Denise Williams, CLC
Denisew@lifestylesols.com
2 comments:
I have to serve a big
Thanksgiving Dinner. Any ideas of some healthy alternative dishes that TASTE GOOD?
THIS CRANBERRY SALAD is very low calorie and tastes great. The following serves 4:
1 pkg. sugar free lemon gelatin mix;
1 T sweetner (Splenda or Sweet & Low); 1 1/2 c boiling water; 1 orange; 1/2c. cranberries; 1/2 c. apples chopped) DISSOLVE GELATIN & SWEETNER IN BOILING WATER, LET COOL TILL IT STARTS TO THICKEN. IN A FOOD PROCESSOR, GRIND THE WHOLE ORANGE INCLUDING SKIN, AND THE CRANBERRIES. ADD THE CHOPPED APPLE AND THEN FOLD INTO THE GELATIN. POUR INTO MOLD & CHILL.
CAL: 24/ CARBS: 17 FAT 0
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