The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means. Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas candy, holiday treats and comfort food will be everywhere in the coming months. Even though we always say we're not going to gain weight during the holiday season, it's super common to pack on a few pounds. Honestly, with all the goodies, how can you not?
The holidays are such a struggle because we're torn between two good things. We want to look and feel awesome for all the parties we're attending, but we also want to eat ALL the food. We can't always have the best of both worlds, but here are a few ideas to jumpstart your weight loss before the holiday treats start showing up on your doorstep:
1. Make apple cider vinegar your friend
Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water or your favorite herbal tea, and drink it as soon as you wake up in the morning. The taste isn't great, but it'll help fight off cravings and decrease bloating.
2. Drink tons of water
You should be drinking at least eight cups of water every day, if not more. Staying hydrated can help you fight any bloat and keep those pounds off by helping you feel full.
3. Slow down your eating
Take small bites and make sure you're eating slowly. This will give your food time to digest, and your mind will be able to more easily sense when it's full.
4. Get some small plates
If you must have a treat or two (or three), eat them on a small plate. When you eat food on a smaller plate, it'll trick your brain into thinking you're eating more than you are.
5. Tell a trusted loved one to hide the treats
If you're anything like me, you'll eat anything in sight when a craving hits. Tell a loved one to hide the treats, and only let you have one when you absolutely need it. It takes willpower, but putting it out of sight can put it out of your mind.
6. Make sure you're getting enough protein and fiber
Protein and fiber will keep you feeling morefull for longer periods of time. This will help you kick cravings and avoid overeating.
7. Put the electronics down during meal times
Eating in front of a screen can cause some serious damage to your weight loss goals. When you're distracted by a TV show or social media, you tend to eat more because you're eating mindlessly.
8. Get enough sleep and reduce your stress
Sleep and stress are huge factors when it comes to weight loss. Stress levels are high and sleep patterns are often off during the holiday season, so make sure you're making a conscious effort to reduce your stress and get adequate sleep.
9. Weigh yourself once a week
I'll be the first to tell you how much I loathe the scale, but sometimes, weighing yourselfis necessary. If you want to watch your weight closely, regular weigh-ins are a great way to keep you on track.
10. Don't save your calories
Don't starve yourself all day because you know you're having a big meal later. When you save your calories up for a big meal, you're more likely to overeat and do more damage to your diet.
11. Be picky
Don't just eat simply because you see food. This can be hard during the holidays because there are treats literally everywhere, but only eat what you love. This way, you'll save yourself from excess calories you didn't even want.
12. Know when you're actually hungry
Are you hungry because you need food? Or are you thirsty? Maybe you're just bored. Get to the bottom of whether or not you're truly hungry, then only eat if you are. It's easier said than done, but it's a great way to keep those extra pounds away.
13. Get a buddy to help you
Having someone to be accountable with does wonders for your willpower. Plus, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone.
14. Brush your teeth after every meal
An easy trick to keep yourself from overeating is to brush your teeth after every meal or chew a piece of gum. The minty-freshness of your mouth will taste better than that chocolate covered brownie dessert sitting in your pantry.
Keeping that extra weight at bay is hard, but it's not impossible if you follow these easy steps.
