It’s commonly reported that the average American gains 5-10 lbs over the holidays, but after reviewing multiple sources and studies, the average weight gain is most likely closer to 1-2 lbs. That being said, most of us don’t want to gain ANY weight! Follow these tips to help you prevent unwanted holiday weight gain!
10 Tips to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain
1. Limit or adjust your alcohol intake. It’s okay to enjoy a cocktail at a party, but try to choose lower calorie items. For a few ideas, check out our blog post on Alcohol and Weight Loss.
2. Eat your calories; don’t drink them. Enjoy water or a calorie-free beverage with and between meals. If there are a few holiday favorites, like eggnog, try having half of your typical portion or “cutting” it with some milk. Be careful of flavored coffee drinks, they can pack as many calories as an entire meal!
3. Make time for exercise. Going for a walk or hitting the gym more than you usually do can help to compensate for your higher intake of calories during the holiday season. There’s still time to register for a Turkey Trot!
4. Fill half of your plate with nonstarchy vegetables