4 Ways to Lose Weight During the Holidays

The holiday season is notorious for causing weight gain, but is it possible to actually lose weight during the holidays? These simple tips can help you stay on track with your healthy diet during the holiday season.

With the holidays in full swing, you might be concerned about how much weight you are going to gain during these weeks of holiday parties and general indulgence. But it is possible to maintain your figure, or even lose some weight during the holiday season, with the right strategies on hand.

Here are a few tips to keep you feeling slim and trim this holiday:

1.) Drink Only Water

One of the best ways you can lose weight and continue losing even through the holidays is by drinking plenty of water. The majority of what you drink on a daily basis should be water. A general rule of thumb is drink half your weight in ounces of water each day, instead of just sticking to the more generic 8 cup rule.

Also try to drink a glass of water before and after any other type of drink you may be enjoying during the holidays. So if you are at a holiday party and want a glass of champagne, drink a full glass of water beforehand. You are not allowed another glass of champagne or wine until you have another glass of water. This keeps you hydrated and helps to limit how much alcohol you end up drinking – and you’ll feel a lot better in the morning too!

2.) It’s Okay to Indulge, But Not Too Much

The problem with wanting to indulge during the holidays is that you feel left out if you can’t have treats. If you keep denying yourself too much, you might find yourself raiding the fridge on Christmas Eve, eating everything in sight because you went without for too long! A good way to remedy this is by letting yourself taste everything, but not over-indulging. When you are at a holiday dinner, just have a very small portion (a couple of bites-worth) of each food item. This way you will be able to taste and enjoy everything on the table, without overeating.

3.) Remove 1/3 of Your Meal From Your Plate Immediately

Eating out during the holidays is another time when you might indulge a little too much, which  can make it really hard to lose weight. But you don’t have to only order salads and water wherever you go. If you decide to order something that isn’t as light and fit as it could be, simply separate your meal immediately, as soon as it hits the table. Ask for a to-go container when your food is served, then take 1/3 of the meal and place it in the container and set it aside to take home later. This is an easy way to reduce how much you end up eating, plus it makes the meal last longer, which can help stretch that tight holiday budget.

4.) Use Salsa As a Condiment

Instead of putting cheese, sour cream, or guacamole on top of your food, consider adding some salsa. This adds a ton of flavor to your meal, but it is extremely low in fat and calories. Most salsas are just tomatoes, jalapenos and onions – all good, healthy veggies to include in your diet anyway.

With just a bit of discipline and some strategic planning, you can eat healthy and keep your weight in check – or possibly even lose weight during the holidays this year.