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3 Tips to Weight-Proof Your

Holidays

The holidays should be a time of merriment and fun, but for those of us who struggle to maintain a healthy weight (and a positive relationship with food), this season can be extra challenging. Temptations are everywhere, and the additional items on our to-do list can create stress that makes resistance feel impossible.

It is possible!

It IS possible to get through the holiday season without feeling guilty over food choices and gaining weight. Here are 3 simple tips to avoid holiday weight gain and have a healthy, vibrant season!

Health is forever

1. Don't skimp on sleep

I know, the to-do list is long. I’m a compulsive over doer when it comes to Christmas, so I completely get it, but over the years I have come to realize that being tired and giving in to sugar cravings to push myself does not result in a merry Christmas.

Missing out on sleep affects our hormones, makes us feel sluggish, and destroys our craving control. All these factors play a role in holiday weight gain and take a toll on our self-esteem.

Studies show that when people don’t get enough sleep, they eat later at night, crave more carbohydrate-rich foods, and eat larger portions overall. Your brain and your hormones are working against you when you don’t get enough rest, making sleep an absolute must for anyone who wants to eat healthy and lose weight.

As much as we tell ourselves to keep pushing and accept that fatigue comes with the season, it doesn’t have to be that way. The truth is that the best gift you can give your family is not perfectly wrapped presents or an elaborate meal. The best gift you can give this season is YOU – fully present, alert, comfortable in your skin, and ready to make memories!

2. Limit liquid calories

Peppermint mochas, hot chocolate, and festive cocktails seem to be everywhere this time of year, but these drinks can sabotage our weight even more than our food choices.

Sugary drinks spike our blood sugar faster than eating our sweets. If you have dessert after dinner, the sugar absorbs slowly thanks to the protein, fiber, and fat in your meal. A mid-day, sugar-filled drink has no nutritional buffer, so it quickly spikes your blood sugar level. This leads to higher insulin (think fat storage) and carb cravings as your blood sugar crashes back down.

Knowing the unique impact of beverages can help us limit them. I like to look up what those yummy sounding drinks actually contain in terms of sugar and calories and let that smack me into reality. I know that drinking 50 grams of sugar would make me feel awful, so it’s easy to pass them up once I have the facts.

Another trick is to pair that festive drink with food, so it doesn’t spike your blood sugar. Setting limits for yourself like enjoying 1 glass of egg nog with a protein-rich appetizer at the party, then switching to coffee can help you stay trim without feeling deprived.

3. Find support

There is no shame in getting the support you need to reach your goals. Enlisting a friend to hold you accountable is a tried-and-true method. Be sure to find someone you really click with in this area. There are many wonderful people who simply don’t understand food and weight struggles. You want to lean on someone who won’t makes you feel guilty but won’t let you easily give up on yourself either. There is a delicate balance in this journey.

You might also choose to talk to a professional, like myself, who can encourage you and help you set realistic goals and limits.

There is a lot of support to be had from the herbal medicine world too. I love working with herbs because they are incredibly effective when you choose the right ones. One of my favorite blends for beating sugar cravings is called Metabolic Manager from Vitanica. It contains Gymnema to knock out sugar cravings along with herbs and nutrients that will help you maintain a healthy blood sugar balance.

Feel free to reach out if you would like personal support or a link to order this fantastic herbal support product.

By getting plenty of rest, watching those liquid calories, and getting support in your corner, you can get through the season with your health and your goals intact!

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