Avoid Over Eating During The Holidays

     The average person gains between 10 and 15 pounds during the holiday season.  This means that you over eat your calories by between 35,ooo –  52,500 .  OUCH!  Most don’t even realize that they are over eating by that much.  However, the constant grazing of holiday foods at work and the left overs in your house can be fatal!  So here are some tips to keep you weight under control.

• Eat Before You Go Out – Big party?  Lots of holiday foods you know you shouldn’t have?  Make sure you eat before you go!  Sure it might seem a bit ironic to eat before you are supposed to have dinner.  However, this keeps your hunger under control and allows you to make smarter choices. 
• Change Your Perspective – People seem to view holiday food as something that only comes around once a year.  Food is food… and should be perceived as fuel no happiness. 
• Ditch The Left Overs – Chances are, if you are cooking food then you will have left overs.  If they aren’t good for you, then get rid of them or give them away.  There are always homeless shelters that could need the food if you have trouble throwing it away.
• Drink Warm Fluids At Night – Things like tea and decaf coffee can soothe your body and warm your stomach so that you don’t crave sweets. 
• Use Food Progression – This means you eat your veggies first, protein, and lastly you starches.  This way you won’t overeat you starches. 
• Take Your Multi and Calcium– If you are deficient in vitamins then you crave foods.   This could lead to undesirable food choices.  Calcium is your friend!  Calcium lowers your stress hormone (which leads to weight gain – especially in your stomach).  This also helps you sleep so you don’t over eat at night.  Make sure you take your calcium at night, not in the morning. 
• Drink Your Fluids – Staying hydrated is the best way to stay full, energetic, and it’s great for your skin. 
• Keep Your Routine – Don’t let the holidays throw you off track.  Set aside time to exercise and don’t stray from your routine.

    With the right info you can keep losing or maintain your weight during the holidays.  By the time Spring rolls around you will be closer to your goal and on your way to a new and improved YOU. 

Adria Ali