How To Stay Slim During The Holiday Season

The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once the holidays are over. Worst of all, most of them never lose this extra weight. Over the years, few pounds gained over the holidays here and there add up to 10, 20, 30 pounds of excess fat!

To avoid falling into the holiday fat trap, follow these simple tips:

1. Don't deprive yourself. Munching on a green salad while everyone is feasting on turkey and stuffing is just not worth it. You will end up miserable, and chances are you'll binge at home or on the next party. Depriving yourself once is likely to cause you to eat everything in sight the next day to "compensate" for your suffering.

2. Don't stuff yourself. You are not a turkey, after all! :-) Remember, this is not the last time in your life that you can eat.

3. Eat a small meal several hours before the party. This will prevent you from being too hungry when faced with abundant menu. When you are not starving, you can think with your brain, and not with your stomach.

4. Eat slowly. It takes our body about 20 minutes to realize that we are full. Also, the slower you eat, the less food you'll eat as opposed to eating fast in the same amount of time.

5. Be aware of what you are eating. It's easy to get carried away in conversation, and eat way too much before you know it. Don't automatically go for more helpings while you are talking to someone.

6. If you are cooking the food, prepare healthier versions of traditional dishes. Don't go too far by trying to completely cut out the fat. Just make some slight changes such as mashing potatoes with low-fat milk, adding less butter to the food, and serving more salads and veggies. Or make the stuffing in a casserole dish outside of turkey, so it does not soak up the extra fat.

7. Deal with the food-pushing hosts by complimenting them. When they try to force more food on you, smile. Say how much you love their food, but unfortunately you are so full, you can't get in another bite. And that you'll be delighted if they gave you some of this food to take home, if there is anything left after the party!

8. Choose the turkey breast meat, since it has fewer calories then dark meat. Also, most of the fat in a turkey is contained in the skin. So, if you can, don't eat the skin. Skinless turkey breast is actually a healthy choice. But go easy on a fat-laden gravy!

9. Eat small amounts of various foods, as opposed to large portions of few foods. Sampling everything on the menu will leave you more satisfied since you've tried everything there is. But remember, moderation is key.

10. Eat that dessert. The trick here is to eat a small piece of it. This way you can have your cake and eat it too!

About The Author

Melanie Mendelson is the author of Practical Weight Loss - the healthy way to lose weight and keep it off. Visit Melanie's site at http://www.practical-weight-loss.com



Beyond All Tied Up With A Bow - Great Tips for Creating Beautifully Wrapped Holiday Gifts

No matter what the season, packages make a statement even... Read More

Hassle-Free Holiday Baking: 6 Easy Days to Perfect Christmas Cookies

Like many people, I love the idea of making a... Read More

Anniversary Gift Ideas Year by Year, the First Nineteen Years

It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More

Incredibles Kid Birthday Party Idea

Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More

Its Never Too Early To Shop For Christmas

Every year we go through the same process of making... Read More

The Only Way to Turn New Year Resolutions Into Reality!

So you ate, drank and spent too much over the... Read More

Going Solo on Valentines Day: Advice For Singles

The stores are decorated in candy hearts, flowers and bears.... Read More

The Gift of Failure

During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to reflect on... Read More

Happy New Year for 2005

It is 7:45 a.m. in Port Moody, British Columbia Canada,... Read More

Birthday Flowers

Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More

Mother?s Day Crafts

Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More

Mothers Day, Do You Know What Youre Giving The Woman Who Gave You Life?

Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More

Top 50 Christmas Quotations

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More

Holiday Health: Give Get-Fit Gifts

'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to... Read More

Creative And Inexpensive Gift Ideas

I have a friend who works at a loan company.... Read More

Valentines Day Love Letter - The Best And Most Romantic Gift Is Also The Least Expensive!

You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More

Where Have All The Wise Men Gone? Jesus Is Not Acceptable For Christmas!

It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men... Read More

Seven Valentine?s Day Tips for Spouses in ?Less-Than-Perfect? Marriages

Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More

Vastu Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Fun, though they are intended to be, The Holidays can... Read More

Christmas Gifts to Last a Lifetime

Do you know what you are giving to the children... Read More

The Origins Of Mothers Day

Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over... Read More

A Valentines Day Story

Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More

Home For The Holidays: Happy Times, Right

This time of the year is supposed to be happy.... Read More

Contact Lenses for Halloween

It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More

Great Games for Your Halloween Party

If you're having a Halloween party you need to play... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: