10 Biggest Things You Can Do to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain!

As we are in the home stretch of December – it gets really easy to get out of our healthy routines.  Here are 10 BIG things you can do to avoid gaining weight this year WITHOUT big efforts!

10.  Eat before you go to events!  If you arrive at a party hungry, your blood sugar is often low, and you start reaching for high carb (and likely high sugar) treats.  These treats start a chain reaction – more treats, alcohol, and then again more treats!

9.  Go to events/holiday parties/dinners in tight, form fitting clothes that make you feel good about yourself!  If you go to a big meal in a huge baggy sweater and yoga pants, you have “tons of room” to eat all you want.  If you go in a sexy dress or something that you look great in, you won’t want to overeat, and be uncomfortable in your clothes!!

8.  Start each day with some type of physical activity!  You will hear me say over and over again – if you are doing one good thing for yourself, it starts to cause you to do many good things for yourself!  Start the day getting a great work out in, and you’ll think twice before over indulging in food and alcohol.

7.  Drink LOTS of water!!  So often, we think we are hungry – when really we are just thirsty.  Water makes you feel full, and takes up volume in your stomach.  If you drink tons of water, your body will not have as much room (or desire) for high calorie snacks and beverages.

6.  Drink wine vs mixed drinks.  Wine can have as little as about 120 calories per glass, while a mixed drink can easily top 500 calories.  Also – have you ever noticed how quickly you drink a fruity martini vs how quickly you drink a glass of wine?  The wine will save you thousands of calories over the next month!

5.  Plan activities that don’t center around food.  The holidays are about spending time with the people we love – not just about the big meals.  We know there will be parties that center around dinner, etc – but plan some events with your friends that involve physical activity.  Dance it out – or go ice skating instead!

4.  Enjoy what you really want – in moderation.  If you are really looking forward to Grandma’s cookies – have a COUPLE – not a whole plate!  Eat it slowly – and savor it.  The law of diminishing returns says that things start to become less enjoyable the longer you have them – so eat less and take the time to savor every bite.

3.  Step away from the buffet table.  Rather than standing by the food all night – step to the center or a side of the room and mingle!  If you stand by the food, you will likely unconsciously graze, eating more than you even realize you are eating (and likely didn’t even want or enjoy in the first place).

2.  Get in as much activity as you can – especially if you are traveling.  Go walk around a new city.  Go take a new type of fitness class.  Go do something active!  Have you ever noticed that when it gets cold, you often sit on the couch more, watch tv more, and snack more?  If you spend just a fraction of that time moving, you’ll be less likely to be mindlessly snacking.

1.  Do NOT wait until January 1^st to make a good decision.  The average person gains between one and two pounds in November and December each year.  When looking only at the 1-2 pounds, that doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you were accomplishing a weight loss goal – these 1-2 pounds (and the bad habits that come with them) could literally be the thing to potentially derail you from your goals altogether.

So as we finish off 2013 – have FUN.  Enjoy the holiday season.  Enjoy the parties!  Enjoy the family and festivities.  Just remember that a few good decisions could keep you from waking up on January 1st upset and disappointed!
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Originally from the Midwest, Amy moved to San Diego in 2001. A graduate of Valparaiso University, Amy had been a Financial Advisor since 1997. When Amy began taking Pilates with her neighbor Wendy, in 2006, she fell in love with the method and benefits of the program and knew she wanted to help others achieve their fitness goals. It was not until Amy took her first barre class that she discovered her true passion for fitness. She loved the challenge and energy of each class. And more importantly, she was excited by the results as her body became more toned than through any other workout routine she had tried in the past. Amy would be one of the best testimonials for Fit in 60 Pilates and Barre. In less than a month’s time, attending 4-5 classes a week, Amy went from a size 10/12 to a size 6. She came home one day and told her husband, Mike that “if every girl knew this, every girl would do it.” Amy is passionate about getting to know her clients and provide modifications and corrections to challenge every client, while making classes as safe as possible. Amy lives in Carlsbad with her husband, Mike, and her dog Emma. She loves what she does, and is thrilled to present the Fit in 60 workout to Carlsbad and Carmel Valley and is eager to help women look and feel great!