How To Stay Slim During The Holiday Season

The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once the holidays are over. Worst of all, most of them never lose this extra weight. Over the years, few pounds gained over the holidays here and there add up to 10, 20, 30 pounds of excess fat!

To avoid falling into the holiday fat trap, follow these simple tips:

1. Don't deprive yourself. Munching on a green salad while everyone is feasting on turkey and stuffing is just not worth it. You will end up miserable, and chances are you'll binge at home or on the next party. Depriving yourself once is likely to cause you to eat everything in sight the next day to "compensate" for your suffering.

2. Don't stuff yourself. You are not a turkey, after all! :-) Remember, this is not the last time in your life that you can eat.

3. Eat a small meal several hours before the party. This will prevent you from being too hungry when faced with abundant menu. When you are not starving, you can think with your brain, and not with your stomach.

4. Eat slowly. It takes our body about 20 minutes to realize that we are full. Also, the slower you eat, the less food you'll eat as opposed to eating fast in the same amount of time.

5. Be aware of what you are eating. It's easy to get carried away in conversation, and eat way too much before you know it. Don't automatically go for more helpings while you are talking to someone.

6. If you are cooking the food, prepare healthier versions of traditional dishes. Don't go too far by trying to completely cut out the fat. Just make some slight changes such as mashing potatoes with low-fat milk, adding less butter to the food, and serving more salads and veggies. Or make the stuffing in a casserole dish outside of turkey, so it does not soak up the extra fat.

7. Deal with the food-pushing hosts by complimenting them. When they try to force more food on you, smile. Say how much you love their food, but unfortunately you are so full, you can't get in another bite. And that you'll be delighted if they gave you some of this food to take home, if there is anything left after the party!

8. Choose the turkey breast meat, since it has fewer calories then dark meat. Also, most of the fat in a turkey is contained in the skin. So, if you can, don't eat the skin. Skinless turkey breast is actually a healthy choice. But go easy on a fat-laden gravy!

9. Eat small amounts of various foods, as opposed to large portions of few foods. Sampling everything on the menu will leave you more satisfied since you've tried everything there is. But remember, moderation is key.

10. Eat that dessert. The trick here is to eat a small piece of it. This way you can have your cake and eat it too!

About The Author

Melanie Mendelson is the author of Practical Weight Loss - the healthy way to lose weight and keep it off. Visit Melanie's site at http://www.practical-weight-loss.com

Related News

Record gas prices keep people home for the holidays - KBCI CBS 2 KBCI CBS 2 Record gas prices keep people home for the holidays KBCI CBS 2, ID -Jul 4, 2008 ... but just last year Idahoans were paying $3.15 a gallon of gas. AAA says it's the reason why Americans are staying home for a second consecutive holiday. Mortgage holidays 'can be effective' - Saveborrowspend.co.uk Mortgage holidays'can be effective' Saveborrowspend.co.uk, UK -10 hours ago Opting to take a mortgage holiday can be a useful tool for some borrowers, one expert has claimed. Although taking a break from payments may not be the best ... Meanwhile, look who's heading off on holidays - Sydney Morning Herald Meanwhile, look who's heading off on holidays Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -13 hours ago ... work was going on as normal, it appears Ms Neal, who last Thursday finally agreed to a police interview about the dinner drama, is planning a holiday. ... Santa’s Helpers getting early start on holidays - Huntsville Item Santa’s Helpers getting early start on holidays Huntsville Item, TX -50 minutes ago ... primarily a youth ministry at Wesley Memorial UMC, and the youth of the church will be involved in the collection of toys through the winter holidays. ... Are you being green washed? - guardian.co.uk Are you being green washed? guardian.co.uk, UK -3 hours ago Responsible Travel promises 'hand-picked holidays from hundreds of specialist operators who care about the environment and local people'. ... Fewer holidays this year as money's tighter - TravelBite.co.uk Fewer holidays this year as money's tighter TravelBite.co.uk, UK -10 hours ago Brits will take fewer holidays this year as rising inflation and the credit crunch make money tighter, according to the latest poll by Norwich Union. ... Home swapping provides a break from pricey holidays - Scotsman Home swapping provides a break from pricey holidays Scotsman, United Kingdom -3 hours ago By Emma Lunn FANCY a week in a villa in Florida or a cabin in the Swiss Alps but can't afford peak season prices charged by holiday companies? ... Farm holidays put vacationers in touch with the land - Vancouver Sun Farm holidays put vacationers in touch with the land Vancouver Sun,  Canada -18 hours ago But that's exactly what TLC's upcoming farm conservation holidays are all about. You can sign up for holidays at Duck Creek Farm on Saltspring Island from ... Farming becomes sexyVancouver Sun all 2 news articles Times are tight – but there’s always cash for a holiday - Independent MSN Money UK Times are tight – but there’s always cash for a holiday Independent, UK -3 hours ago There may be trouble ahead, but they aren’t keeping holiday-makers at home. In fact, the the travel business is reporting continued growth. ... One-in-three to holiday at homeThe Press Association all 9 news articles The Maddie factor that will haunt this year's family holidays - guardian.co.uk The Maddie factor that will haunt this year's family holidays guardian.co.uk, UK -3 hours ago We needed to book a holiday suitable for small children. Which is how I came to be scrutinising an internet site for a family holiday company. ...