Holiday season is a severe test for everyone on a diet. The many appetizing temptations can break the strongest will. It is particularly hard on you if you are a sedentary worker like a website design professional, medical billing specialist or a telemarketing agent who do not get much exercise anyway. Check out these rather simple tips to enjoy the holiday food while sticking to your diet schedule.
1. When you reach the party, have two glasses of water before you eat. This reduces your appetite and you reach out for smaller helpings.
2. If you’re invited to a potluck spread, wonderful! Bring in a diet friendly dish. Since your dish is healthful, you get a good choice for your own meal if there are no other healthy choices. Bring something healthy even if it is not a potluck. The host would appreciate it and you would have a good choice.
3. Select protein-rich dishes for your meal. Proteins are healthy and satisfying, and they induce the production of hormones that process carbohydrates effectively to bringing down blood sugar levels.
4. Stick to water for a drink. Worst case scenario, drink some flavored water or a diet beverages. Walk away from Coke, punch, fruit juices etc. They are not filling and add a lot to your caloric intake.
5. Don’t reach a party hungry or you will reach out for sweets and junk food. So, eat a small healthy snack prior to your arrival. This will lower your appetite and you’ll certainly not eat as much.
6. It’s a bad idea trying to balance your everyday caloric intake by not eating anything till the party. If you do you would certainly fill yourself way beyond your daily calorie quota. Additionally, ingesting calorie rich food on an empty stomach actually causes significantly greater fat storage in the body. Have normal meals throughout the day so you also have a normal meal at the party.
7. Get ready for a big meal by burning away fat deposits in muscles the day before. Carbohydrates and fats are deposited in our muscles to generate energy for strenuous physical activities. Fat is a slow energy source. To deplete it, go for a long walk or run. Train with weights or circuit train, to reduce the carbohydrate stores in muscles. When you eat on the big day, the calories will renew the muscles rather than your waist or the hips.
8. Limit your alcohol intake. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories and also generate hormones that support fat storage. Opt for low sugar, non-alcoholic beverages as often as possible.
9. You can try an appetite suppressant if you are not having any success with dieting. It makes it a little easier. But ask your doctor first before going in for any medication.
10. Serve small portions. Easy way to make this happen is if you have your food off a dessert size plate. This reduces food intake and the calories, and fills you up too.
11. Eating from a small plate doesn’t mean you line up for several helpings. Serve yourself all you want to eat the first time itself and don’t return. However, if you can’t resist the temptation of a second round, load half your plate once, finish it slowly, and then refill half if you still need the second round.
12. Don’t be greedy. Every dish on the table does not have to be eaten. Be discerning and pick the dish you love the best and then fill up the plate with veggies.
13. Chew each bite at least 20 times. This may sound too much but it helps extend your eating time and gives your body the chance to send you the signal that it’s full.
14. Let people know you’re on a weight loss program and they will support you to stay on course. At the minimum, it will stop well meaning people from piling more on your plate.
15. Holidays and parties are about good food. Combine it with additional workouts and you can have fun eating and staying fit. Spend extra time in gym sessions; go for longer walks – increase physical activities.
16. Record your progress by jotting down what you consume and how much you exercise. This helps you and gives an idea of the changes you need to make to improve.
These straightforward and practical tips can keep your holiday weight in control. After all, you don’t want to end the holiday season with feelings of guilt.
Daljeet Sidhu. Compare website design and medical billing quotes.