Another holiday season is here, bringing parties, family gatherings, delicious foods, and a tighter waistband for many of our readers. Before the indulgence of the holidays turns your waistline turn into a bowlful of jelly, check out these tried and true tips to avoid unwanted holiday weight gain.
Drink Water
It seems harder to stay hydrated during the winter months because when the weather is cold, you feel less thirsty. Drinking enough water helps cleanse your body of waste, boost your metabolism, and acts as an appetite suppressant. Start your day with a large glass of water before eating or drinking anything else, and carry a refillable water bottle with you while you work or run errands.
It seems harder to stay hydrated during the winter months because when the weather is cold, you feel less thirsty. Drinking enough water helps cleanse your body of waste, boost your metabolism, and acts as an appetite suppressant. Start your day with a large glass of water before eating or drinking anything else, and carry a refillable water bottle with you while you work or run errands.
Eat before you go out
Before you go to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack, such as a serving of your favorite fruit or veggie with some protein, to satisfy your hunger. This way, you won't feel so tempted to fill up on unhealthy snacks or sugary treats as you celebrate with friends and family. Try our Emerald Essence as an instant, nutrient-packed pre-party drink!
Before you go to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack, such as a serving of your favorite fruit or veggie with some protein, to satisfy your hunger. This way, you won't feel so tempted to fill up on unhealthy snacks or sugary treats as you celebrate with friends and family. Try our Emerald Essence as an instant, nutrient-packed pre-party drink!
Bring a salad
If the event you're attending is a potluck (or even if it isn't), bring a big salad, veggie tray, or fruit dessert to share. This way, you know that you've got a healthy alternative to fill your plate with in place of typical holiday sugary or processed foods.
If the event you're attending is a potluck (or even if it isn't), bring a big salad, veggie tray, or fruit dessert to share. This way, you know that you've got a healthy alternative to fill your plate with in place of typical holiday sugary or processed foods.
Don't drink your calories
During the holidays, alcohol, soda, hot cocoa, and other calorie-rich beverages are everywhere. These drinks contain a lot of sugar and empty calories, which can cause weight gain. Additionally, drinking alcohol can make us lose our inhibitions around food and start eating irresponsibly.
During the holidays, alcohol, soda, hot cocoa, and other calorie-rich beverages are everywhere. These drinks contain a lot of sugar and empty calories, which can cause weight gain. Additionally, drinking alcohol can make us lose our inhibitions around food and start eating irresponsibly.
Smaller portion sizes
As you're filling your plate at Thanksgiving or holiday parties, scoop only a few bites of each item. This allows you to taste everything you want without eating too much in one sitting and saves room for a small slice of pie.
As you're filling your plate at Thanksgiving or holiday parties, scoop only a few bites of each item. This allows you to taste everything you want without eating too much in one sitting and saves room for a small slice of pie.
Savor your food
Eat mindfully and slowly, savoring each item on your plate. It is important to chew your food well, which starts the digestion process by infusing your food with enzymes in your saliva and by breaking it down to smaller pieces which helps reduce stress on the stomach, thereby reducing gas, bloating, heartburn and other digestive issues. Plus, it takes time for your brain to get the message from your stomach when it is full. If you eat your meals too fast, you may be done with your food, but the brain still thinks that you are hungry.
Eat mindfully and slowly, savoring each item on your plate. It is important to chew your food well, which starts the digestion process by infusing your food with enzymes in your saliva and by breaking it down to smaller pieces which helps reduce stress on the stomach, thereby reducing gas, bloating, heartburn and other digestive issues. Plus, it takes time for your brain to get the message from your stomach when it is full. If you eat your meals too fast, you may be done with your food, but the brain still thinks that you are hungry.
Ditch the sugary treats
During the holiday season, it seems like there are cookies, cakes, pies, and candy everywhere you look. Limit yourself to a one-treat-per-day rule, and don't double up if you skip a day. Also, don't buy treats yourself! If you don't have junk food in your cabinets, you won't be tempted to eat it!
During the holiday season, it seems like there are cookies, cakes, pies, and candy everywhere you look. Limit yourself to a one-treat-per-day rule, and don't double up if you skip a day. Also, don't buy treats yourself! If you don't have junk food in your cabinets, you won't be tempted to eat it!
Avoid the white stuff
This doesn't only apply to sugar. White foods such as potatoes, rice, white bread, and pasta contain simple carbohydrates, and these foods can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. The body breaks down these simple carbohydrates quickly, converting them to sugar and causing a spike and subsequent drop in blood sugar. Stick to whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole-grain bread and pasta, or quinoa instead.
This doesn't only apply to sugar. White foods such as potatoes, rice, white bread, and pasta contain simple carbohydrates, and these foods can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. The body breaks down these simple carbohydrates quickly, converting them to sugar and causing a spike and subsequent drop in blood sugar. Stick to whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole-grain bread and pasta, or quinoa instead.
Get active with your loved ones
As the weather gets cold, most people tend to get more sedentary. Inactivity can cause weight gain and contribute to seasonal depression. Start a new family tradition of going for a walk after dinner each night, or find an accountability partner or group to keep yourself motivated. Find a way to move your body that is enjoyable to you, and it will become a habit that will last long after the holidays have ended.
As the weather gets cold, most people tend to get more sedentary. Inactivity can cause weight gain and contribute to seasonal depression. Start a new family tradition of going for a walk after dinner each night, or find an accountability partner or group to keep yourself motivated. Find a way to move your body that is enjoyable to you, and it will become a habit that will last long after the holidays have ended.
Get plenty of sleep
Financial stress, planning holiday travel, staying up later to wrap presents after everyone has fallen asleep, or even adrenal fatigue from the stress of a busier schedule can all contribute to late-nights and poor sleep. But getting enough Z's is important! Lack of sleep contributes to a slower metabolism and an increase in hunger cues. If you practice good sleep habits, like turning off electronics in the bedroom and avoiding late night snacking, and you're still having a hard time sleeping, try a natural sleep aid, such as our Nighty Night formula or a cup of Chamomile tea.
Financial stress, planning holiday travel, staying up later to wrap presents after everyone has fallen asleep, or even adrenal fatigue from the stress of a busier schedule can all contribute to late-nights and poor sleep. But getting enough Z's is important! Lack of sleep contributes to a slower metabolism and an increase in hunger cues. If you practice good sleep habits, like turning off electronics in the bedroom and avoiding late night snacking, and you're still having a hard time sleeping, try a natural sleep aid, such as our Nighty Night formula or a cup of Chamomile tea.
Control your stress
High stress levels can contribute to weight gain in so many ways. Stress increases cortisol levels, which causes weight gain. Stress also causes an increase in cravings, specifically for carb and sugar-loaded foods. For these reasons, it's important to keep stress levels under control, especially during the holidays, when stress levels tend to be higher and you're surrounded by unhealthy foods. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, hypnosis, and exercise are all good stress relievers. If you notice stress starting to affect your sleep patterns or energy levels, try our Adrenal Complex to combat fatigue, insomnia, stress, and stress-related weight gain.
Remember, the holidays are meant to celebrate good times with family and friends. Enjoy the holidays and use these strategies to help you maintain a healthy weight this holiday season.
High stress levels can contribute to weight gain in so many ways. Stress increases cortisol levels, which causes weight gain. Stress also causes an increase in cravings, specifically for carb and sugar-loaded foods. For these reasons, it's important to keep stress levels under control, especially during the holidays, when stress levels tend to be higher and you're surrounded by unhealthy foods. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, hypnosis, and exercise are all good stress relievers. If you notice stress starting to affect your sleep patterns or energy levels, try our Adrenal Complex to combat fatigue, insomnia, stress, and stress-related weight gain.
Remember, the holidays are meant to celebrate good times with family and friends. Enjoy the holidays and use these strategies to help you maintain a healthy weight this holiday season.
Thanks for this info! I have already seen a weight gain just stressing. I didn’t know that will cause weight gain. Thanks again
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