The holidays and delicious foods go together. It can be tough to navigate through the “food minefield” until January. But, you can enjoy plenty of good food and still maintain your pre-holiday weight. Just eat more fat burning foods and don’t skip your workouts.

Workouts can cover many eating mishaps. If you skip too many workouts, your “downslide” can happen fast and the weight can pile on in a hurry! Don’t let a good year of workouts “go to pot” during this long holiday stretch. You can easily put on 20-30 pounds if you’re not careful.

Tip #1 – Stay Hydrated

Water does a body good! Somehow, its not easy to drink enough water every day. About two-thirds of your body is water. Drink about half your weight in water every day. So, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink about 80 ounces of water each day. TIP: Drinking water can help you eat less.

Remember, certain foods contain large amounts of water. This counts toward your water intake. For instance watermelon is about 90% water and lettuce has about 95% water. Some meats contain as much as 70% water.

Tip #2 – Your Meal Plan Still Matters

Even during the holidays, try to comply with your meal plan 90% of the time. This leaves plenty of room to enjoy the holiday goodies. Also, your food journal really comes in handy during the holiday season. Tracking what you eat holds you accountable.

Tip #3 – Eat Plenty Of Protein

(Vanessa & Ingrid Opera)

Get full on protein foods first. It will help you eat less of the condiments, desserts and other high-fat foods at the party. Most holiday parties have plenty of foods loaded with protein. Nuts, ham, turkey, veggies, chicken, fish, etc. are great foods to eat. Protein helps control your blood sugar if you happen to eat sugary carbohydrates. Protein also fills you up and leaves you satisfied on fewer calories.

Tip #4 – Eat Your Calories

Drinking sugary drinks can really pack on the pounds quickly. Drink only water and unsweetened drinks like tea. Eat your calories.

TIP: Chew your food slower.

One quick way to “blow a hole” through your meal plan is to drink too many empty calories contained in drinks like sodas, sugared fruit juices and designer coffees. These are empty calories because they do very little to keep you full (satiety) and you end up wanting and eating more! A better way to eat carbohydrates is to eat salad greens and fruits.

Tip #5 – Eat One Serving

Don’t enjoy your holiday gatherings and parties too much. Eat one serving of food on a plate. Avoid grazing, unless its at the vegetable/fruit tray. Eating haphazardly at a party will put tons of calories in your belly.

Tip #6 – Watch Your Alcohol Consumption

When you take a drink of alcohol, your body converts a small amount of it into fat and the rest is converted (by the liver) into a substance called acetate. This acetate is then quickly released into the bloodstream and used as the body’s main source of energy.

So, your body is using the acetate for energy instead of the stored fat in your body. The more you drink, the more fat your body will store, many times belly fat! Added to this problem is the fact that alcohol consumption can increase your appetite.

Tip #7 – Don’t Take An Empty Stomach To The Party

(Grapefruit Moon (Barb))

You know how you don’t go to the grocery store on an empty stomach? The same rule applies to holiday eating parties. Empty stomachs want to devour food!

Your life is not composed of a weight loss diet. Health, fat loss and weight maintenance is the goal. One realistic goal to have for the holiday season is to not gain weight. Enjoy plenty of good holiday food and continue to do your workouts.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

Mark Dilworth has been a fat loss expert and author since 2006. He is the owner of Your Fitness University, Her Fitness Hut, My Fitness Hut and Sports Fitness Hut. He encourages clients to make lifestyle changes that lead to better long-term health, which includes acceptable body fat and ideal body weight.

Want more Holiday and Fitness articles? Click below to find more tips from Mark and our other Sverve members!

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