The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but they can also be stressful. The holidays often mean eating more than usual, especially if you have to cook for others. Suppose your goal is weight loss during the holidays. In that case, this article will give you some eleven dieting strategies that will help you stay on track with healthy eating habits!
1. Keep a food journal.
Keep a food journal to keep track of what you eat during holidays. Keeping a journal can help prevent over-eating. It can also give you a better idea of improving your eating habits to help keep you on track with your weight loss.
2. Drink water before every meal.
Drinking enough water throughout the day plays a significant role in boosting metabolism, which helps people lose weight faster than usual. Before every meal, drink at least one cup full of water to make you feel less hungry and reduce total calorie intake without compromising health benefits!
3. Eat small meals more often instead of large ones.
By eating smaller portions multiple times per day rather than three big meals per day, you give yourself the best chance to lose weight. This method of eating helps keep you feeling full while keeping your metabolism fueled.
4. Eat more protein during lunch and dinner times.
Eating more protein-rich food during lunch and dinner can help you lose weight and make you feel full. Protein is the most fulfilling of all macronutrients, making us stay fuller for more extended periods and less likely to overeat!
5. Eat vegetables 30 minutes before meals.
Vegetables like broccoli and leafy greens are rich in fiber content. Fiber makes a good appetite suppressant; they keep stomachs feeling full for a more extended period without loading extra calories. Make sure to eat veggies at least 30 minutes before mealtime so that there is enough room left for your actual meal after eating these healthy snacks!
6. Avoid holidays desserts entirely or cut down portion sizes drastically.
If you love holidays desserts and do not want to give them up completely, then make sure you drastically cut down your portion sizes. Even if it is only a scoop of ice cream or a piece of pie, try cutting out 50% off the total amount of dessert servings per week to avoid weight gain during this time!
7. Avoid drinking calories.
Drinking alcoholic beverages like beer and wine can add hundreds of extra calories to your daily diet. It would be best to substitute these drinks with calorie-free versions such as club soda, diet tonic water, etc. Avoiding high caloric food items alone can help one lose weight but avoiding alcohol altogether will benefit people on strict diets!
8. Exercise regularly - be active every day!
The holidays can be a great time to schedule some extra workouts as many parties and events are going on where you might want to go out with friends. Ensure that you exercise regularly during this period; it is the perfect excuse for people who may not otherwise stay active.
9.Avoid thinking about weight loss throughout the holidays.
When we think about weight loss, our primary focus should always remain towards healthy living rather than staying away from food altogether or starving ourselves. Stay motivated by enjoying your favorite foods in moderation so that holidays become more of an enjoyable experience instead of being stressful due to strict diets.
10. Plan your snacks and meals ahead of time
Plan ahead of time what snacks and meals you will be eating so that it is not hard to stick with your food choices. This way, we can avoid extra calories and stay on track for weight loss during the holidays. The best way to do this is to meal plan weekly or use a meal prep company like MaxFit Meals.
11. Give yourself a break.
Do not be too hard on yourself; holidays are the perfect time to enjoy life and take positive steps towards staying healthy! Having a few memorable moments with friends and family while enjoying holiday meals isn’t the end of the world. Just remember to get back on track as soon as you can.
To sum it all up.
The holidays are a time to enjoy life and spend quality time with friends and family. Do not let weight loss become the sole focus of this particular period. It can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, guilt for enjoying holidays, food, etc. Instead, plan what meals you will be having during holidays by meal prepping or using a meal prep service so that they are enjoyable but healthy at the same time! Following these strategies will help you stay on track during this holiday season.