8 Handy Tips For Surviving Holiday Weight Gain

Greetings Working Moms (& Other Fitness Enthusiasts),

As you know, this is the time of year where some of us may eat more than we prefer.

If you're in the group who has mastered your choice over many foods, congratulations! You're in a minority.

If you're in the group facing challenges with overeating or undereating, this post is offered to help you manage your weight sensibly. Most of these tips apply to people with a higher body weight but if you're underweight, it's possible you have an imbalance in hormones or metabolism. Check with your doctor by using the saliva test.

Blood tests don't always tell you what you need to know. Case in point even though this blog addresses women's needs, I'll tell you about my nephew. He's a bodybuilder but he wasn't adding the wanted weight following months of intensive workouts. Turns out he was low on testosterone. Once they gave him a patch, you wouldn't believe how much this guy bulked up! He was a different person.

For women, in order to maintain a lean body during later years (40's and 50's), it's possible you're low on progesterone. You need unopposed estrogen so be sure to check with your doctor. If you get a physician who tells you "no progesterone", find another doctor. Women who are heavy tend to have higher than average estrogen levels. Women who are lean will generally have higher progesterone and testosterone levels.

TIP 1: Eat Smaller Portions And Choose What Your Body Demands

Never underestimate the importance of hydration. Perhaps I've touched on this topic too often, but did you know that people who drink 2 8-oz. glasses of water BEFORE eating anything else weight 10 pounds less than those who don't drink enough liquid? Reduce sugary juices and favor water, then choose what your common sense tells you.

TIP 2: Eat Good Carbs Not Bad

I know I'm singing to the choir but it's true. You can't have a lean body for nothing. You must
push yourself daily to eat fewer white goodies and cheesy casseroles over the stuff you know you should eat. The low carbohydrates you eat must be complex, high in nutrition and low on the glycemic scale (choose squash over peas).

Eat veggies over fruit first. Celery, carrots, radishes, and tomatoes are helpful. These choices will help you burn additional calories more efficiently because you're expending greater energy digesting these foods (as opposed to eating white foods high in fat and sugar). Consider choosing fewer crackers and white breads at the holiday table, staying away from high calorie sauces, rolls and butters.

TIP 3: Choose Fish Over Barbecued Ribs

If this is tough to do, think about taking good care of yourself. Here's what I do in any given situation. Before I make a food choice, I think in terms of --

a) How many calories does this food bomb contain? Will it take me 3 days to burn it off or should I choose fish to spend 1 day in an intensive workout? It's not worth eating many of these desserts. Some can be prepared with cheap ingredients (like hydrogenated palm kernel oil or coconut oil).

b) You have to be strict with yourself to make the better choices. And..., if you're not working out as often as you should (assuming you don't have a serious heart condition or some medical limitation), then push yourself harder around the house. At work -- walk further, take the stairs, resist taking the elevator, if need be.

If you're not sure what to choose, take a look at this information by clicking below. Warning: the title of this diet is rough but it's a solid plan. If you can't consider something like this during December, you can incorporate change January 1st.

Simple Weight Loss


Tip 4: Eat a Small Meal At Home Before Heading to the Party

This is a tip fitness buffs know about but it's worth repeat mention.

Tip 5: Eat Your Foods Earlier In The Day

Eat breakfast and lunch. If you must have dinner, eat before 4:30 when it's feasible. You want to help your body burns as many calories as it can earliest in the day. Then, if you're a solid sleeper, you can bolster metabolism by adding a mini workout at 5:00 pm. Head outside for a brief walk. Run up and down the house stairs. Help your child clean his/her room. Do whatever it takes to add more exercise.

TIP 6: Consider Eating Tofu In Place of Sugary Proteins

This may be a boring suggestion but I eat tofu at least 2 times/week. I tend to favor it over dairy products (like yogurts or mixed fruit juices). Women don't get enough protein in their diets each day so boost lean protein whenever you can (fish, chicken, turkey). Pick lean protein over sweets, as a major rule. When you're craving sweets, your body is telling you it wants protein.

TIP 7: Freeze Your Holiday Sweets And Give Them Away

Sometimes I like a cookie or a chocolate but by and large, I tend to give away many holiday foods or I cook these goodies only for a larger crowd. And.., before I buy foods in this group, I think along the lines of what I'm teaching myself and my family. What's the example you wish to set for your family? Buy fewer sweets this year. Save yourself the money and put it towards the key foods. Buy a turkey instead of cookie trays. Consider choosing more soup and salads over cakes and rolls. Eat less cheese or buy non-diary cheese (soy or rice).

TIP 8: Buy Fruit Instead of Sweets

I know this order is tall one. Every year, I send my family pears. Sounds dull but have you ever tried some of the holiday fruit? It's amazing. When my son and I want a 'sweet' on a cold wintery night, we carve up pears topped with a light drizzle of chocolate syrup. Go easy on the syrup!

If you'd like a sensible diet to implement January 1st, feel free to check out this source. I've been using it the past 4 months and it's solid. There's no junk food added, it's very balanced and easy to prepare. Best of all, you can modify your food choices accordingly.

Click below:

Simple Weight Loss

Supporting Your Success Using Proven Means,

B. Brinkmeyer