5 Tips To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

If your days are packed with office goodies and your nights are full of holiday parties, I feel ya. There is temptation at every turn. You don't have to gain weight during the holidays, though. A few simple tricks can help you start 2015 without adding a single pound.

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Splurge Smart and Seasonally

Pick your indulgences. Don't waste your calories on crappy cookies you can have any time of the year. Try a great, seasonal apple streusel pie (my fave) or sweet potato casserole. Enjoy every bite of Uncle Morty's smoked brisket without a shred of guilt. Enjoy your indulgence but be smart about it.

BONUS TIP: go lean when you can. Not every meal has to be a sumptuous treat. In fact have a few go-to lean meals that you can prepare in a few minutes so that you're not tempted to do takeout or pop a pizza in the oven. For example, last night I had canned salmon with dijon mustard, broccoli with avocado and some blueberries for dessert. Simple, lean and delicious.

Two Alcoholic Drinks MAX

It's so easy to drink too much but if you stick to the two-drink rule, you will feel better and your waistline will thank you. It's really easy to do. Have a glass of water (preferably sparkling) before your first cocktail. Sip your cocktail slowly. Have another glass of water (or two) before your next cocktail. Sip that second cocktail, again, super slowly. After that - go nonalcoholic.

Bubble Up With Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is a stay-slim trick that works. When we reach for food, in reality, many times we're just thirsty. Sparkling water tricks the body into feeling fuller than regular, old flat water. Those extra bubbles take up space in our stomachs. There are delicious varieties of sparkling water. I love Pellegrino. Perrier makes some delicious, no-calorie flavored varieties or make your own with a Soda Stream.

Go Green

There are two strategies here, really, to ensure you get plenty of vegetables in your diet. It's easy to eat too many baked goodies which are delicious but can be the main culprit in holiday weight gain. These tips will help you avoid that:

My smoothie this morning

• Have a green smoothie in the morning. I throw spinach, whatever fruit I have on hand, chia seeds and some fiber in my Nutribullet and blend up a smoothie with water and a dash of coconut water. This way, at the very least, I am starting the day off with some green produce. 
• At parties, make your first plate of food vegetables. Most parties have a great vegetable tray. Load up on broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, jicama, carrots, celery, whatever raw veggies you can find. Pair that with salsa, guacamole or hummus. Don't do the fattening ranch dip. 

Move!

I understand exercise is the first thing to go when we're busy. I get it. You don't have to do a killer workout. Just move for at least 30 minutes five times a week. Walk, hula hoop (I do this while watching TV), practice yoga, run, just do something. I like to take a barre class at exhale spa at least once a week, so that I at least get a full body weight workout in during the week. 

Get The Real Skinny

Me, circa 1999, topping 200 pounds

This are some of the easiest diet tips ever. There are more. Tons of them. Do you want them? Sign up for my daily diet and healthy living tip HERE. You will receive smart, practical advice that you can use in the real world to help you reach your healthy living goals.

Why do I know WTH I'm talking about? Friends, I'm a recovering fat girl. At one point in my life, there wasn't a Golden Corral buffet I didn't love. I have lost more than 50 pounds and kept it off for a decade. Most importantly, I know how to do it while juggling work, studies, parenting and other aspects of our chaotic lives that can derail even the most dedicated dieter.

I have been there....and am fighting to the good fight every day to avoid going back there.

Send me the book!

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