I am happy to offer you 25 tips to not only help you avoid gaining weight this holiday season, but to possibly even help you lose weight – yes, losing a few pounds is possible if you follow these tips.
I have created 25 tips in reference to that significant day this month – the 25th of December. Check back each day for a new tip! Here are tips 1 – 11, to help see you through a happy, healthy holiday season.
I am probably the only person I know who loses weight on a cruise, and it’s because I have the nutritional wisdom to achieve this, despite all the feasting opportunities and temptations aboard a cruise. Part of this wisdom comes from knowing my own body type and its particular sensitivities. As there are different body types, I offer personalized programs to address individual situations.
1. First, here are the goals for this holiday season:
- To not gain weight
- Enjoy the holiday festivties
- Indulge in your favorite treats
- Possibly even lose weight
Here are the recommendations on how to achieve these goals.
2. We can brush off a weight gain of two pounds, but beware: Two pounds each year for the next ten years will see you 20 pounds heavier in 10 years. Do not take this lightly.
The belief that the older we get the harder it is to lose weight is a myth. The truth is that, YES your metabolism slows down because your body fat has increased – therefore for 2014 target to reduce body fat and thus reactivate your fat calorie burning machine.
Start now to reduce all commercial fats in your diet, such as found in fried foods, pastries and many processed foods. Eat healthy fats like coconut oil for sautéing, flax oil, olive oil, and even ghee in moderate amounts, and eat avocado, almonds, sunflowers, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
3. If you have already received your Metabolic Personalized Plan from me you have already reset your metabolic rate, you will be able to indulge occasionally, and not gain back the bulge. How to achieve that is to have your customized plan created based on 30 key blood markers that measure how much inflammation is in the body contributing to making fat cells.
What you will do to achieve this if you are not on your own Metabolic Balance Plan is watch your protein and do a modified Paleo diet approach with legumes and beans. Therefore at every meal you would consume a protein of your choice (remember beans and lentils count as a protein), a fruit and a vegetable. Remember the key is to only eat one protein per meal!
4. Do not skip meals. Folks fighting with weight talk themselves into not eating breakfast and skimping on lunch so they can indulge at the holiday party. When you miss breakfast you just completely shut down your fat/calorie burning machine. For breakfast eat 30 grams of protein 30 minutes after getting up. Be prepared to be hungry for lunch because you are burning calories.
5. Don’t show up famished. If you are going to a social event eat a full snack before of a fat, a protein and a carb in the form of a vegetable or a fruit. Ever wonder why French woman are not obese and they indulge in wine and camembert cheese and walnuts. They are eating the perfect combo that tells the body to stop eating and burn more calories. Make the fruit an apple and the fiber will slow down your eating desire and keep you full longer.
6. At the party do not make the food the center stage. Focus on catching up with friends and family, dancing, joke telling and having fun.
7. Plan your indulgences – based on what food is extra special to you. It is unique to each person how many indulgences they will have per day or per week. Learn what your tipping point is, that will tip the scale.
8. Indulge in your favorite treat as well as a large helping of fruit and vegetable crudités.
9. At the buffet table take a small plate and fill with 1/3 treats and 2/3 fruit and vegetables.
10. Hors d’ouevres – how many will you have? Again it is your call. Whatever number you come up with, stick to that number. Learn to put in place healthy boundaries and restraints. Focus on the treats you are allowing yourself.
11. Avoid sauces and dips and fried foods that will contribute to a wider waist.
