Surprising Holiday Weight-Loss Mistakes Youd Never Think Of

This article was written by Lizzie Fuhr and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

December is a month rife with temptations. Holding steady through the holidays and maintaining your weight is certainly admirable—especially when factoring in that you have less time to exercise and more events to attend. Play it smart, and avoid these common mistakes fit folks tend to make around the holidays.

1. Skipping Breakfast
When rushed for time and trying to cut calories, dieters often skip breakfast. Bad idea. Dieters who eat breakfast are more successful at taking weight off and keeping it off. Eating healthy foods and staying satisfied throughout the day will make holiday treats a little easier to pass up.

2. Overestimating Calorie Burn
Exercise is a great complement to dieting. However, it's easy to overestimate the calories you have burned. Running for 30 minutes might burn 300 calories, but there are over 300 calories in one cup of eggnog. Do continue exercising since it will help you keep on track, but don't assume you can eat everything in sight when you're at a holiday cocktail party. It's all about balance.

3. Underestimating Calorie Consumption
Let's be real: Going to a party and watching what you eat takes discipline—especially when there's a buffet involved. Do one lap around the spread before you grab anything, and be choosy. If something doesn't taste worth the calories, then there's no need to finish it. When attending a long party, pace yourself.

4. Cutting Carbs
Many folks still think cutting carbs is a quick weight-loss trick. The dark, cold days of winter are no time to cut the bread and pasta out of your life: Carbs help in the production of serotonin, the feel-good brain chemical. Search out complex carbs and whole grains to keep your spirits high and your diet balanced.

5. Drinking Too Much
Unfortunately, booze counts toward your indulgences—even though it's not solid food. If you're trying to stay fit over the holidays, then limiting your alcohol consumption is necessary. A bummer, we know. But at least you won't have to deal with any awful hangovers.

6. Depriving Yourself Completely
The holidays are full of fattening treats, from eggnog to butter-filled cookies. Denying yourself of these treats often backfires, and you end up going overboard and eating a whole bunch of fattening foods. Pick your treats, but set limits so you can enjoy yourself as well as the holiday goodies.

More from POPSUGAR Fitness:
The 10 Worst "Healthy" Picks at the Food Court
Sunday Weight-Loss To-Do List
How to Drop 1 Pound by Next Week

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