7 Simple Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

7 Simple Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain - By Chalene Johnson 1. Drink less. Avoid calorie-laden beverages like alcohol, egg nog, peppermint lattes and hot chocolate. Permanently attach a bottle of water to your hand from Thanksgiving until January 1st. One cocktail is fine. But keep in mind, alcohol usually makes you less attractive, less articulate, less responsible, and more likely to overeat. Cheers! 2. Bake less. One of the sneakiest ways calories creep up on us is via the mixing bowl! Avoid volunteering to bake your famous snicker doodle cheesecake and you'll instantly cut down on unneeded stress and calories. 3. Be fashionably late. This accomplishes two things. One, the less time you spend at the party, the less time you spend with a plate of cheese stuffed mini-quiche and uncomfortable small talk with the boss. Two, the more guests there before you, the less food available when you arrive. 4. Throw away leftovers. I know your Mother would "gasp" at such a wasteful suggestion. I'll let you in on a little secret, that half-eaten pumpkin pie is not exactly what the local food bank had in mind. Toss it and get over it. Your neighbor brings over a delicious plate of cookies. Take a nibble and toss the rest! She'll never know the difference and your thighs will thank you. 5. Amp up your workouts. Many Americans excuse themselves from healthy eating and regular workouts because, "it's that time of year". Poor choice. Rather than skipping workouts, intensify yours. Holidays are when you really need the mood enhancing, stress busting effects of exercise more than ever. You deserve it. You'll be more proficient because of it, so make time to do it! 6. Enjoy a taste. Some do well by swearing off "forbidden" foods, but for many of us that notion only leads to bingeing or a feeling of deprivation. If that's the case, allow yourself the treat, just make it a small portion and account for it during your next Cardio Party!. 7. Scrap the "dieters mentality". I forbid you to say these 5 little words ever again, "I'm starting my diet tomorrow." This mentality leads people to believe that healthy eating is all or nothing. Have a cookie or two, but catch yourself before you slip into the "Oh, I've blown it so now I might as well have 10 more!" way of thinking. That mentality is the root of all yo-yo dieting. Think of your eating as a way of life, not a diet. Enjoy the occasional treat, but do so in moderation. About Chalene Johnson: An internationally known fitness personality and owner of Powder Blue Productions, a leading company in the fitness industry. Chalene is the creator of Turbo Kick