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Monday, November 2, 2015

5 Strategies to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Before the last trick or treaters have begun negotiating their loot, advertisers begin their holiday marketing, and we begin planning for the tastes of the season. 



It's easy to see why we gain weight around the holidays and in the winter. 

Cooler days and longer nights have us nesting and layering in roomy, warm, comfortable knits. It's the time for soups and baking and crockpots and parties. 

Cold, harsh weather and the winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, make it easy to hibernate and our favorite comfort foods rarely meet our ideal nutritional profile. 

Nevertheless, there are things you can do to be proactive and keep your weight in check over the holidays. And, in staying accountable over the holidays, you are ready to take 2016 on your terms. 

Be proactive
Going to a party? Bring something healthy that you can enjoy. It's not hard to find delicious and healthy options that do not include a veggie platter (although those are a great option as well). Hosting a party? Serve things you don't mind having as leftovers or send your guests home with the food you don't want tempting you after the party has ended.

Get creative with your workouts
Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to hibernate inside. Make an effort to find one outdoor activity that you love. Or buy yourself a gift certificate for a new workout or program. Have you been thinking about Crossfit? Check Groupon for an introductory deal. Are you easily bored? Check out streaming videos, like those offered by Beachbody On-Demand, where you can do workouts at home from Beachbody's most popular programs. 

Reach out and find an accountability partner
Get yourself a push partner, someone who will get you to move your mass, even when you don't want feel like it. Remember, an object in motion stays in motion. It's harder to get motivated to move when you've been "at rest" for a while.

Create a motivation board
Like a vision board, these graphic motivators can help you to keep your eye on the prize. You can keep it fitness related or extend it to other areas of your life that you want to work on in 2016. 

Allow for an indulgence
No one is perfect. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Go ahead and eat the cupcake, but then work off that cupcake. It's all about balance. If you have eaten "clean" all week, designate a meal at which time you can indulge in something you enjoy, and when you have enjoyed it and you're done with it, get back on track. You will come to appreciate those treats more if you have them less often.

Better yet, find a way to indulge that is not food-related. Find an old jar and for every workout you complete, pay yourself a dollar. When you reach some pre-set amount, like $30, go treat yourself to a pedi, or put it toward something you would enjoy. 

There are ways to stay on track, even during the holiday season. As with anything, if you want it, you will make it happen. 

What are some ways you have been successful in staying on track with your nutrition and wellness?

AND...Happy Blogging Anniversary to me. Onward!






22 comments:

  1. yes the last one and the DONT OBSESS one :-) The holidays may feel like forever--they most surely are not.

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  2. Happy anniversary!!! There are lots more holiday themed workouts these days, and that helps! Turkey Trot, Jingle Bell Run, etc.!

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  3. I haven't tried a vision board. That sounds like a fun and positive thing to do. Thanks for all these ideas.

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  4. This was such a good article and a great reminder for me. I started doing all of these around May this year to aid in my weight loss journey and "allow for an indulgence" was something I vowed to do! Otherwise I knew I would quit lol another good point is: Stay away from the scale lol Also, Happy Anniversary! :-)

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  5. These are some great ideas Kelly! I've been dreading the holidays for just this reason.

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  6. I love this! I love the tips and ideas. I was trying to pull together a similar post, as points for myself. I'll have to link over to yours when I do! :) Happy blogiversary!

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  7. The holiday's were meant to be enjoyed and by dieting I can enjoy. :) I choose to indulge but no over indulge.

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  8. Happy Blogging Anniversary Dear Kelly, Happy Blogging Anniversary to You... and many more!!!
    Congratulations and Best Wishes.

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  9. I am already feeling myself wanting to hibernate, it's getting chilly. I plan on spending some time on my treadmill to combat the winter weight from creeping on.

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  10. Love this! I need to bookmark this, I love inspiration boards and going back to the gym keeps me on track!

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  11. Inspiration boards are great. They are motivating and inspiring, especially if you keep them in plain sight. Sometimes mine get lost in Pinterest, but when I have one I can keep on the fridge or on my desk, I am more successful.

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  12. Yoga pants and hoodies don't help; nor do all of winter's comfort foods, but one day at a time, there's room for good, healthy choices.

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  13. It's all a matter of balance. We all deserve treats, in moderation. Enjoy!

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  14. Thank you, Nancy. It's one day at a time, for me, especially. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  15. Thank you, Andrea! I look forward to reading it!

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  16. Yoga pants and hoodies don't help; nor do all of winter's comfort foods, but one day at a time, there's room for good, healthy choices. You've got this, Rena. :-) Happy Thanksgiving.

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  17. It's all a matter of balance. We all deserve treats, in moderation. Enjoy, Jiselle!

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  18. Vision boards are great. They are motivating and inspiring, especially if you keep them in plain sight. Sometimes mine gets lost in Pinterest, but when I have one I can keep on the fridge or on my desk, I am more successful. Good luck! And happy Thanksgiving!

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  19. It's true. There is no shortage of themed runs at this time of the year. I am doing one on Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  20. Amen! No obsessing over anything! Enjoy the ride. It passes soon enough. Happy Thanksgiving, Carla!

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