How To Avoid Overindulging During The Holiday

The holiday season is meant to be a time of overindulgence on all things Christmas. There are twinkling lights everywhere, huge trees with piles of presents underneath, and of course food as far as the eye can see. So many individuals create a New Year’s resolution to get fit after all of the amazing homemade meals they eat during the holiday’s. However, since many gym memberships are eagerly taken out then forgotten about from January 16th on wards, it just seems like taking some preventative measures during the holiday’s might be the easiest option.

1 – Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast

While the appeal of a huge cooked breakfast can be a great way to start your Christmas Day, why not opt for something healthy such as fruit, porridge or even Greek yogurt? By eating a healthy breakfast you should feel less inclined to over indulge for the rest of the day.

2 – Do some exercise

Instead of standard forms of exercise like heading to the gym or doing a workout video (although you can if you really want) why not go for a family walk? Head out and about in your hometown and see what’s happening in your area. Or if you have a games console, why not have a dance competition? Even better, play some Christmas songs loud and dance to your heart’s content. Not only will the exercise be good for keeping you feeling healthy, it can also help keep your stress levels down too.

3 – Be Mindful Of What You Eat 

This is definitely not something you want to hear over the holidays, but it may be an idea to think twice about that fourth bowl of ice-cream or some more stuffing balls. By chewing slowly you not only get to enjoy your food more, savoring the taste of each mouthful, but your body will also be able to tell you that it is full, stopping you from feeling bloated later.

4 – Be prepared

If you have long breaks between activities, such as traveling to a relative’s house or even during a church service, make sure you pack some healthy snacks to keep you going. You can also keep a bowl of them at home too. I do not mean boring food either; fruit and nuts can be a great way to keep you going until the main event.

5 – Take a nap

It is a well known fact that a good night’s sleep can help you maintain your weight. A sleep deprived body produces higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can increase your appetite. If you are unable to get a good night’s sleep in the lead up to the day, try taking power naps and making sure you are as refreshed as everyone else.

6 – Fill up before you head out

An old one but a good one. If you are heading out to a party or event, make sure you eat healthily before you go. This should reduce your temptation for any of the sugary or fatty foods that may be offered as well as reducing your need for a takeaway on the way home. An added bonus is that if you are pleasantly full you should soak up a bit more alcohol, meaning your hangover may not be as lethal the next morning.

7 – Choose your drinks wisely

Many alcoholic drinks have hidden calories but these can easily be avoided without ruining your favorite beverage. Opt for the low-calorie or slimline options when having a mixer or even try some of the low-calorie alcoholic drinks that are now available on the market. As always it is a good idea to try and alternate between alcohol and water to reduce the potential of a hangover the following day.

8 – Stop picking!

Food will most likely be everywhere and it is easy to pick up bits here and there. However, if you are hungry, stop what you are doing and have a plate of food. Not only will it help you keep track of what you are eating it can also curb any emotions created by being hungry.

9 – Enjoy yourself

It may seem like I’m suggesting not allowing yourself to have any fun this holiday season, but that’s not the case. To make sure you have the best of everything why not start as you mean to go on; preparing a healthy Christmas dinner and being mindful of things such as the way you cook your vegetables, the type of meat you choose and the desserts you have to offer, allows you to have all the fun without any of the worry.