Be Festive But Fit: Prevent Holiday Weight Gain With These 8 Tips

Many Americans gain a pound or two (or more) over the holidays

, but that certainly doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to this fate.

Avoiding holiday weight gain is as simple as knowing (and heeding) a few tips and tricks. Here are 8 of the best.

1. Find a physical activity that you enjoy, and make sure you schedule it on your to-do list at least four times a week. Exercise can be an enormous stress relief, so if you don't think you have the time or the energy this time of year to keep up with regular workouts, take a good brisk walk for about 30 minutes. (Then tell me you don't feel better.)

2. When you find a treat that's worth the indulgence, take a bite or two and leave the rest. Recruit a buddy to halve the cream puff or pie slice with you.

3. If you don't currently keep a food diary, the holidays are a great time to start. Even if you aren't dieting, it's a good way to give yourself a reality check of the amount of food you're eating. And if you know you have to write down every little treat, it might be easier to pass them on by.

4. Eat only those things that you love. Maybe you love your mother-in-law's caramel corn, but her egg-cheese casserole isn't your favorite. Eat a bit of caramel corn but skip the casserole altogether.

5. Have chewing gum on hand. Sometimes, the stress of the holidays make us eat less mindfully. Chew a bit of gum when you feel the urge to eat something you shouldn't.

6. Avoid wearing baggy clothes, especially to parties and get-togethers where food is the focus. Wear form fitting clothes and you'll be more mindful of the extra calories you are eating.

7. Though it may sound counterintuitive, this might be a perfect time to look into joining a weight loss program. Instead of waiting until the New Year, you can join an online program or support group now so you can start healthy habits even in the face of temptation. Consider joining such a program not to lose weight during the holidays but to avoid gaining any. Depending on the program you choose, you'll learn tricks and tips for fending off the siren call of tempting, calorie-rich dishes. Remember that preventing an increase in weight loss is easier than trying to shed the weight once January rolls around.

8. Start reading a health and fitness book that motivates and inspires you to live the best, healthiest lifestyle you can possibly live. When temptations come along, read a few pages and get your mojo back.

by: Jamie Jefferson

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