The holidays are a time for celebration, but they can also be a time for weight gain. The average person gains between one and five pounds during the holiday season. This is because we tend to eat more unhealthy foods and exercise less. If you want to know how to lose holiday weight gain, follow these eight tips!
Focus on Other Things Besides Food
How to avoid holiday weight gain? The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and, of course, food. But if you're trying to prevent pounds this year, you'll need to find other things to focus on besides feasting. "One of the biggest mistakes people make during the holidays is thinking about food.
"If you can find other activities to fill your time, you'll be less likely to overeat." Also, avoid situations where food is the center of attention, such as office parties and potlucks. Seek out events that focus on something else, like volunteering or going to a holiday concert.
1. Exercise Daily
The average person gains between five and eight pounds during the holidays, but you don’t have to be one of them. With a little bit of effort, you can avoid holiday weight gain. Exercising is one of the best ways to prevent weight gain. You don’t have to exercise for hours each day, but you should commit to getting some exercise every day. A thirty-minute walk is a great way to get started.
Exercise helps you avoid weight gain and boosts your mood and energy levels. If you’re not used to exercising, start slow and gradually increase your exercise time. As your fitness level improves, you can add more challenging activities such as running or biking. And when you feel good, you’re more likely to make healthy choices.
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How to lose holiday weight? One of the best ways to avoid weight gain during the holidays is to follow a meal plan. This will help you control your portions and make healthier choices. Meal plans can be found online or in magazines. Many apps can help you create a healthy holiday meal plan. Making a meal plan per your calorie requirements is best. This will help you stay on track and avoid overeating.
Moreover, when you are sleep-deprived, your body produces more ghrelin, which increases hunger. So, aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night.
3. Avoid Snacking
One of the most common mistakes we make during the holidays is that we snack more often than usual, resulting in average weight gain during holidays. We graze on cookies, candies, and other unhealthy treats that are easy to find at holiday parties. This can quickly add up and lead to weight gain. The best way to avoid this is to ensure you're eating regular meals and not skipping any. If you're feeling hungry between meals, reach for a healthy snack like fruits or vegetables instead of unhealthy junk food.
You should also try to avoid drinking alcohol during the holidays. Alcoholic beverages are high in calories and can quickly lead to weight gain. If you do drink alcohol, be sure to limit yourself to one or two drinks per day.
4. Eat lots of Proteins
Proteins are essential for maintaining lean muscle mass. When you overeat during the holidays, and your calorie intake is high, your body stores excess calories as fat. To avoid this, eat plenty of protein-rich foods such as lean meats, eggs, and beans. So load up on those turkey breasts and ham! In addition to helping you maintain lean muscle mass, proteins keep you feeling fuller for longer, which can help prevent overeating.
And don’t forget about healthy fats too. Healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil prevent holiday weight gain because they help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that can lead to fat storage.
5. Eat Healthy Food
One of the main reasons people gain weight during the holidays is because they indulge in too many unhealthy foods. To avoid holiday weight gain, eat plenty of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Also, try to limit your intake of sugary and fatty foods. Instead of eating three large meals daily, try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This will help you control your portions and avoid overeating.
Along with this, you must also drink lots of water. Water can help you feel fuller longer and flush toxins from your body. It’s also essential to get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Exercise can boost your metabolism and burn calories.
6. Stay Active
The average person gains about one to two pounds during the holidays, but you don’t have to be average! Staying active will help avoid weight gain. Take a walk with your family after dinner or jog in the morning. You can also find creative ways to keep busy indoors if it’s too cold outside. Get everyone involved in a game of tag or Twister. Just make sure you’re moving your body every day. This will help offset all the holiday treats you’ll be indulging in.
7. Make Calorie Buffer Before Big Meals
Whenever a big meal comes up, create a calorie buffer. This means you should slightly reduce your caloric intake in the days leading up to the big meal. Doing this will make you less likely to overeat and gain weight during the holidays. Creating a calorie buffer is especially important if indulging in high-calorie foods.
For example, if you know that you will be eating a lot of Christmas cookies, then make sure to cut back on your calories in the days before and after. This will help to prevent holiday weight gain.
The Bottom Line
The average person gains about one pound during the holidays. While this may not seem like much, it can increase over time. The good news is that you can do some simple things to avoid holiday weight gain.
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