The holidays are a magical time spent with family and friends and loved ones. Precious moments that will be frozen in time. Thanksgiving is honestly one of my favorite holidays, but I can have the tendency to ” over do it”. We all can, AMIRIGHT? Thanksgiving is the start of a month long celebration and according to this article people have the tendency to gain between 1-5 pounds during that time. We all have holiday parties and multiple “friendsgivings” to attend which can unfortunately lead to a little extra love around the middle. Now, with that said I want all of you to enjoy your holiday gatherings and indulge, but I also wanted to share some health tips from my friends at Baptist Health South Florida to help you seamlessly float through this holiday season like the god or goddess you are.
Amy Kimberlain, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Baptist Health South Florida says: “The key is having a plan so you can avoid gaining weight. Just like the football teams who play games on Thanksgiving Day, having a game plan going into the holiday season that’s full of food-centered events can help avoid the trap ojf gaining weight this time of year.” Ms. Kimberlain also says portion control and moderation are the keys to success. Focus on filling your plate with salad and fresh vegetables and turkey before filling up on starchy vegetables, filling casseroles and all the wine you can handle.
Want a few tips to help you get through the next couple of weeks without adding to your waistline?
- Eat beforehand. A small, nutritious snack before the party will help take the edge off your appetite and allow you to resist hors d’oeuvres, reserving calorie intake for the meal. I love having a bowl of oatmeal or a banana with peanut butter.
- Set limits with yourself. If you’re invited to multiple holiday events, plan to eat a small portion at each one. Or, limit the number of events you attend, reducing the amount of times you’re presented with opportunities to overeat. Only accept invitations to those “can’t miss” events. It is hard to say no…I get it, but you do not have to say “yes” if you don’t want to.
- Don’t linger around the food table. Move to another location that is less tempting. If I see it…I eat eat. All the yummy holiday food is tempting. Try to not have an hour long conversation next to the Hors d’oeuvres.
- Maintain an exercise schedule. Try your best to keep up with regular physical activity, Ms. Kimberlain advises. Ten minutes of exercise is better than none. Make sure to fit in a workout the day of a party or event. Grab a friend and go for a walk, or schedule an exercise appointment with yourself, whatever works best for you.
For more fabulous tips from our friends at Baptist Health South Florida make sure to check out this post. And remember:“Holiday time does not need to be synonymous with weight gain,” Ms. Kimberlain said. “A holiday season free of gaining weight is attainable, especially if you spend less time focusing on food and instead embrace the time with family and friends.” Enjoy the celebrations, enjoy the days with those closest to you and a very happy holiday season to you and yours!
