Hey mamas, I love the holidays.
It’s kind of a magical time, and I try to make our home magical for our kids too.
But the food coma, the belly bloat, and the guilt of eating the foods you know you shouldn’t have eaten but you just couldn’t stay away from aren’t all that magical are they?
I’ve seen signs in gyms around this time of year proclaiming that it’s a fact that the average person gains 7-10lbs around the Holidays. YIKES! Is that even possible in a 2-3 week span?
Well no one I know is going to gain 7-10lbs this holiday season! And with these healthy holiday food tips to help avoid the belly bloat, the extra weight and the guilt that comes with overdoing it around the holidays, you won’t be gaining the weight either!!
1. Fill your plate with veggies and healthy foods first. That way you’ll be stuffed on all the good stuff, you won’t be as interested in eating the bad stuff. This works on a satiety level as well as a mentally. If you start with the good foods, you’re more likely to feel good about keeping your goal of eating only the healthy foods, and less likely to pick the unhealthy food.
2. Eat until you’re satisfied and not until you are full. Eat and chew slowly, and listen to your body. When your stomach is satisfied, put your fork down.
3. Eat before you leave the house if you know the only food offered will be stuff you don’t want to eat, or know you shouldn’t eat. This way you are already full and won’t need to nosh on the unhealthy stuff because you’re hungry.
If you’re like many people, and have the greatest of intentions, and are pumping yourself up to keep the willpower strong but the temptation is just too great, here are a few tips:
4. Don’t stand or mill around the food. Just don’t do it. So many people come with the greatest intentions only to be sucked in when they see that sweet treat they absolutely love and HAVE TO HAVE. Hang out with the people the farthest away from the food area.
5. Have a ‘healthy food’ friend who has the same goals as you and keep each other accountable during the evening. Accountability is huge, and makes it fun if both of you have the same goals and can motivate each other to stick with your healthy eating lifestyle.
6. Choose one treat that you will absolutely enjoy, and eat it without guilt. It is the holidays by the way, and they are meant to be enjoyed, so go have fun with your friends, family and loved ones!
Drop me a line and tell me how you stay motivated around the holiday season, or how you keep your willpower and avoid the junk food when you are at holiday parties.
Happy Holidays to you and yours this holiday season!
