Practical Tips to Keep the Added Pounds Away
Landisville Family Heatlh Center

The Holidays are a difficult time for many of us to control our waist line. The problem is that we often don’t have a plan when trying to prevent unnecessary weight gain over the holidays. The goal is not to gain weight (or, to not gain more than a pound or two) over the holidays. The key to that is moderation and balance.

• Offer to bring a low-fat, low calorie dish to holiday parties, so that you know there will be a least one “safe” food available.
• Don’t go to a party hungry. Eat a healthy meal before the party. You will tend to eat faster and will eat more snacks if you are already hungry.
• Watch your portion size. If you go for small portions, you can sample more foods. Just a small taste might be enough to satisfy that craving. Make only one trip to the buffet.
• Drink plenty of water. It tends to fill you and to suppress your appetite.

Don’t forget to keep your exercise program going over the holidays. Many of us will become so busy with our schedules that we stop doing some of the most important things. Exercise will help prevent calories hanging on your waist line, and will give you energy to make it through the day. Try to weigh yourself once a week through the holidays to see that you are maintaining your weight, but also don’t get discouraged by a bad day or week.

Hopefully, if you follow your plan, you will not be stressed after New Years trying to lose the weight you gained.