1. Never Arrive Hungry
Planning ahead can help you maintain discipline in the face of temptation. “Don’t go to a party when you’re starving! Try to have a nutritious snack beforehand. If you do arrive hungry , drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.
2. Go out to have a fun
Many people forget that there’s more to a holiday party than food. Don’t look at the party as just a food event. Enjoy your friends company or dancing. Focus on something other than food.
3. Slow down your eating and drinking
Chewing more slowly will fill you up with less food. Drinking water after every glass of wine, can help dehydration and hangover overeating next day. If you drink a lot you, won’t have as much control over what you eat.
4. Be Choosy
When it comes to food and dessert, be very selective. Go for quality, the best indulgences to small portions and only what is very sensual to you. If it’s going to have calories, it has to be worth it! I am using 3 red cards for the week. So if you are going to use red card on some naughty food it better be worth it!
5. Bring Your Own Treats
Whether you’re going to a friend’s party or shopping coffee meeting, consider bringing a healthy snack with you. If you eat out chose the best healthy option they have. Get away from limited thinking about what holiday food has to be like.
6. Limit the Tasting While Cooking
If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, be careful not to eat the whole meal while you are cooking. Use only teaspoon for tasting, drinking glass of wine while cooking may be relaxing but you will more likely lose control of your eating. Good music can be relaxing without calories.
7. Walk It Off
Make a new holiday tradition the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile. Make it a rule and walk before or after the meal. Wrap up and enjoy the Christmas lights out there, walking not only benefits you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you eat. If you want to spend more time with the family and less time in the gym, just top up your steps to 5000 more. You will be surprised how many you can do while you do Christmas shopping. Get people off the couch and move, dance, play games, Wii. Limit time sitting down on the sofa.
8. Slow down and meditate
Make a new holiday tradition stop and enjoy the small things, love, smile on children faces, enjoy the open fire, Christmas smells and music. Don’t rush and as well as looking after everyone, take a good care of yourself.