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Why Aiming Not to Gain Weight Is the Secret to Winning the Holiday Season

Three people are standing and holding plates and glasses, preparing to serve themselves food from a table set with various dishes, including a beautifully roasted acorn squash. They are in a dining area with natural light streaming through the windows. MyFitnessPal Blog
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Fun fact: It can take up to five months to lose the extra pounds you put on between Halloween and New Yearā€™s, according toĀ research in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, many of usĀ dive into the holiday seasonĀ thinking weā€™ll just enjoy ourselves joyfully for a few months and then magicallyĀ get back on track come January 1.

Instead of ditching yourĀ healthy habitsĀ over the holidays, actively adopt a mindset toĀ maintain your weight over the holidaysĀ ā€” as this might be the key to keeping the pounds off in the long run. If you continue working on the better version of you all holiday seasonĀ and still get to enjoy yourself, then you wonā€™t have to spend all of January (or maybe January through May) ā€œgetting back on track.ā€

The holidays arenā€™t a realistic time to deprive yourself, start a strict diet or aim to lose weight as all of those intentions might backfire. Instead, try to set a new, more realistic, goal for yourself ā€” one that involves not getting too far off track ā€” and instead taking on a direct focus toĀ be more proactive with your healthy habits this time of year.

Hereā€™s how to win this holiday season:

1

SPLURGE ON YOURSELF WITH FITNESS IN MIND

Whether you loveĀ yoga, barre or a differentĀ group fitness class, consider splurging on a class package (or even the unlimited option). Or treat yourself to aĀ couple sessions with a personal trainerĀ and someĀ new workout outfits. Having a type of exercise you look forward to doing (and being comfortable in yourĀ new high-performance clothing) will help encourage you to remain active during the holiday season.

2

BEFORE YOU DRINK ALCOHOL, HAVE SOMETHING SATIATING TO EAT

Alcohol can throw you off your gameĀ more than any other factor during the holidays. Not only does it lower your inhibitions (leading toĀ mindless snacking) but it can alsoĀ impair your sleepĀ and make you more likely to skip your workout andĀ reach for something sugaryĀ the next day. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach and have something filling to eat beforehand so you can make smart decisions.

3

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Staying hydratedĀ is crucial since it curbs hunger, promotes satiety, keeps your mind sharp and fuels those pre-party workouts. Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage and in between every small plate at a holiday party. You can alsoĀ level-up your waterĀ by adding fruit or bubbles to keep things interesting.

4

EAT HEALTHY 80% OF THE TIME

While the holiday season is full of parties, most of your eating and other activities should continue to be part of your normal routine. For example, keep certain healthy habits like yourĀ morning workout, eating aĀ protein-rich breakfastĀ andĀ making your lunch, rather than eating out midday. That way, when you have an evening holiday party you canĀ choose your indulgences wiselyĀ and will be more likely to maintain, rather than gain, weight.

5

PLAN AHEAD

This is often the most repeated tip during the holiday season and for good reason. When your plan is to not gain weight, youā€™ll focus more on what is actually worth splurging on. Choose which events you absolutely want to attend and schedule your workouts around them so you can be sure to fit everything in. Itā€™s also important to know when to politely pass on things, like lunch out with your co-worker when youā€™re planning on attending happy hour later that night. Having a plan makes it easier to stick to your mission.

6

DON’T PANIC

If you overdo it a few nights in a row with festive cookies and eggnog, thatā€™s OK. Instead of feeling guilty, try to look at whatĀ strategies you can employ next time. For instance, maybe you didnā€™t have enough to eat during the day and arrived at the holiday party ravenous. Next time, youā€™ll make a note to have aĀ protein-packed snackĀ beforehand. People who maintain weight (and lose weight) all have slip-ups,Ā but itā€™s how they handle themĀ ā€” by getting back toĀ healthy eatingĀ and workout routines as soon as possible ā€” that makes them successful.

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