This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

25 Tips to Fighting the Holiday Bulge

1.  Start your day strong with a healthy breakfast.  If you don’t, you will tend to overeat the rest of the day.  Good rule to follow: eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper.

2.  Curb your appetite.  Drink a glass of water before every meal.  It will help you fill up faster and help you eat less.

3.  Slow down.  Eat slower and taste your food.  It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize how much is in your stomach.  It is a good idea to take a break after you eat to lessen the temptation to go for another serving!

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4.  Stay active.  Exercise with your family and go for a walk or jog outside!  Sign up for a Turkey Trot or Christmas Jingle Bell Run 5k to do with your family over the holidays.

5.  Keep a food diary.  Tracking everything you put into your body will help to point out your weaknesses.  You will then be able to focus on limiting your intake of certain foods and spot when you missed a meal.  What you measure you can manage!

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

6.  Choose to eat clean 80-90% of the time.  Eat more protein, vegetables and fruit and healthy fats like nuts and seeds.  A handful of almonds or a freshly sliced apple is a great snack to curb your hunger!

7.  Don’t go anywhere hungry.  Try to arrive at any holiday parties having already eaten something healthy.  That way you won’t be too prone to digging into high-calorie party foods.  Also, bring a healthy option to a holiday party! 

8.  Maintain portion Control.  Pay attention to how much you put on your plate.  Use smaller plates. Moderation is one of the most important elements in weight control – especially at holiday parties!

9.  Choose water over Alcohol.  Drinking water in place of alcohol will keep you hydrated and keep your energy level high.  Also – it is amazing quickly calories in alcoholic drinks can add up!  Try not to drink your calories for the day!

10.  Don’t eat things if you don’t like them.  Sounds simple enough!  If you put it on your plate and it doesn’t taste as good as you thought, why eat it?

11.  Don’t give up! Falling out of habits you are trying to accomplish for a few days, DOES NOT mean your effort is hopeless.  Simply acknowledge that you ‘slipped up’ or ate poorly and get back on your plan.  New day, new start!

12.  Exercise on days you eat a holiday meal.  Try to get a workout in on the days you know you will have a big holiday supper that day.  Your metabolism will be running higher and chances are you will choose better foods!

13.  Decide how many drinks you are going to have before the party.  Choose light and clear alcohol over dark, and alternate between an alcohol beverage (if you are drinking) and water (same goes for soda).  This cuts 100’s of calories!!!!

Want to see the other 12 tips and get a copy of our Holiday Survival Guide? Comment below or join our newsletter here http://eepurl.com/d3-Yn. It will provide fitness and health tips, free workouts recipes, discount opportunities and more!

Erica Martin, CPT, CF-L1
Tuff Girl Fitness/Tuff Girl Boot Camp
1108 E. Stanley Blvd. Livermore, Ca 94551-3122
(925)518-4114
http://www.tuffgirl.com
http://www.facebook.com/tuffgirlfitness
http://www.twitter.com/tuffgirlfitness

http://tufffit.myshaklee.com
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?