Avoid Holiday Weight Gain With These 5 Easy Diet Tips

If you’re worried about gaining weight over the holidays you’re
not alone.

The average North American gains 7 to 12 pounds over the
Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But it doesn’t have to be
that way.

Follow these simple holiday diet tips and tricks and you’ll
avoid the holiday weight gain that afflicts so many other
people:

#1 Drink Water – and Lots of It.

Boring I know – but the reason this tip stays around year after
year is because it works. Adequate water intake keeps your
metabolism humming along at a maximum rate and staves off hunger
cravings as well.

In fact many people mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating
to quench their thirst. This results in more calories than you
body needs and – you guessed it – excess pounds.

Models and celebrities all know about the powerful slimming
effects of drinking water which is why you often see them
holding a bottle of water in their hands as they dash through
airports or stand around at fashion shows.

#2 Increase Your Exercise A Little Bit Every Day

Everyone deserves to indulge in holiday treats. Part of the fun
of the holiday season is the amazing treats that are only around
at Christmas and/or Thanksgiving.

Accept the fact that you’re going to indulge a bit – and then
enjoy it! But make sure you make up for it elsewhere by
increasing your exercise.

You don’t have to double your exercise time or sweat till you
fall off your treadmill. Just increase your exercise time a bit
every day, maybe ten minutes here, fifteen minutes there. It all
adds up.

You’ll burn off those holiday treats and easily avoid extra
weight gain. I have several girlfriends who have been doing this
trick for years and they never gain a pound over the holidays
(in fact they often lose a few!).

#3 Cut Back Where You Can At Other Meals

Did you know that the average number of calories consumed by one
person during a typical Thanksgiving dinner is 7,100! That’s
about 2 pounds strictly in terms of calories alone.

But not to worry. All you have to do is make small calorie
cutbacks at other meals the week before and you’ll easily make
up for the extra calories.

For example, instead a huge slice of pecan pie (which normally
will run you about 500 calories) for desert, why not try some
blueberries mixed with low fat yogurt? Instead of the bag of
potato chips you usually indulge in for the big game, why not
munch on air-popped, low fat popcorn?

You can save as much as 500 calories and you’re still having a
salty, satisfying snack.

Bottom line: cut back where you can in little ways. You won’t
miss the little sacrifices and you can then enjoy your holiday
meals – guilt free!

#4 Eat What You Like – But Only A Few Bites

If you absolutely cannot imagine giving up any of your favorite
treats this holiday season, give yourself permission to have a
bite of everything – but only a bite!

I read somewhere that Jessica Simpson never denies herself any
of her favorite foods – but she only allows herself one or two
bites. And let’s face it the first couple of bites are the best
tasting anyways!

#5 Don’t Eat After 7:00 pm

Experts tell us that the earlier in the day food is eaten, the
more likely it is to be burned off. However when you eat late at
night, this food is more likely to be stored as fat.

Celebrities like Oprah use this knowledge to their advantage and
refuse to eat after a certain time like 7:00 p.m.

So if you know you absolutely must have a sweet indulgence
during the day, try to have it before noon. Then towards the end
of the day, snack on healthy, lower carb foods like salads,
vegetable broth, fruits or lean protein.

This keeps your metabolism elevated but won’t pack on the
pounds. I’ve personally used this trick before every holiday
Christmas party for 5 years running and it certainly helps for
getting into those slinky Christmas party dresses!

So those are 5 diet tips to avoid holiday weight gain
this year. Follow them and you’re guaranteed to save yourself
the stress of unwanted weight gain. Heck, you’ll probably even
lose a few pounds, all in time for New Year’s Eve!

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