7 Secrets To Maintain Your Weight During Holiday Parties

The holiday season is the season to be jolly. But it also has a BIG price.

Americans and other cultures lavish on parties during the holiday season. This practice is part of our tradition of celebrating the blessings that we were able to receive in the year.

Food temptationsFacing the temptation of eating extravagantly in different parties or dinner, many of us pack up additional weight. Doctors say Americans on average gain one to two pounds during the holidays. While it is relatively small, it can trigger a momentum of eating more than what your body can absorb.

The guilt from gaining extra body mass explains the desire of many to set “dieting” and “weight loss” as their New Year’s resolutions, which many of them would not fulfill. According to a 2015 survey, losing weight is the top resolution for the New Year. And while 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s Resolution, only 8 percent were able to achieve success. No wonder more Americans are getting overweight or, worse, obese.

Weight maintenance tipsThe holiday season tests our resolve in our commitment to maintaining our weight. Temptations to eat are everywhere. As such, you have to gear yourself up with weapons to fight the lure of mindless and impulsive eating in social situations. Here are some of them:

Plan your food beforehand – If planning is a necessity in your usual diet, you need it more when you party. Make a list of which foods to consume and which to get rid of.

Host your holiday party – Instead of attending others’ party, why not organize your own. This way, you are the one preparing foods that promote health. You can serve low-calorie and high-fiber organic delicacies instead of unhealthy processed foods.

Eat mindfully – Being mindful in eating is a good way to help maintain your diet regime and weight. Mindfulness gives you focus in the manner of consuming your food. Mindful eating means controlling the portions of your food, enjoying each bite and paying attention to your surroundings.

Don’t starve yourself before attending the party – Some people eat less early on the assumption that this starving process allows them to increase their food intake. Starving yourself before a party will make you hungrier. It is better to go to a party half-full so that you will not be tempted to devour.

Don’t stuff yourself – Focus more on socializing, networking, and enjoying the company of people who you rarely meet than in eating.

Check your drinks – Some drinks have extra calories that can give you excess fat. Stay away from Mai Tai (a 9 oz. glass has 620 calories) Piña Colada (12 oz. contains 586 calories) and Margarita (10 oz has 550 calories).

Wear a form-fitting outfit – Put on clothing that restricts you from ingesting too much food. Wear a belt to signal you that you ate too much. You can also use jewelry such as a shiny bangle or large ring as a visual reminder to eat in moderation.

Article written by Ethan Wright, a writer and researcher at Bedding Stock, online retailer of quality gel memory foam mattress based in Florida.