Avoid Those Extra Calories: The Holiday Diet Challenge!

iving started off the holiday season that will end onmay lead you to totally abandon your diet and make
New Year's Day. During this time of the year, mosthaphazard decisions to resume weight loss plans in
people struggle with their diet, especially with all theJanuary next year.
tempting holiday goodies that are being served left andWalking around the block can help you lose those
right. It is expected that most of us are going toadded calories. It would take 27 minutes of walking to
overeat during these holidays, but experts adviseburn the 97 calories in an 8-ounce serving of cola. A
Americans not to throw good habits out the windowreally fast mile would burn 125 calories. But it's not
during the holidays. For some people, it's like a bleep onenough to cover the 2,000 to 3,000 calories in an
the screen. Holidays should not serve as a green lightaverage Thanksgiving meals alone. And we still have
to a six-week indulgence that precedes andChristmas and New Years Eve parties to go.
necessitates the trip back to the gym on the secondHave a plan of action by visualizing the meal
day of the new year.beforehand. Decide ahead of time what food to eat
For people who have problems with obesity, this canand what to avoid. Eating while sitting is advised to
be a very difficult time as it can really throw them offmake you feel fuller rather than standing which easily
target. Studies have shown that seasonal weight gainkeeps the food down. Eat from a plate to keep things
during the holidays is a slippery slope. One can easilyin proportion rather than off a tray, which makes you
add up ten pounds during the season. While threelose track of how much you already had.
ounces of white turkey meat has only 130 calories, aYou don't really have to deprive yourself of all those
serving of sweet potato casserole can give you asholiday goodies. Simply practice moderation. When you
much as 330 calories. Stuffing has approximately 107get offtrack, returning to an exercise regimen and
calories, a slice of pumpkin pie has more than 300, andhaving the right eating portions can help you get back
a piece of pecan pie has 500 calories.on the road to a healthier diet and holiday spree.
Dietitians recommend that instead of drinking alcoholA pound you gain and can't remove is a pound for life.
and other high-caloric drinks, try to enjoy eating piesExtra pounds that come from extra calories are not
and turkey with lots of water. Help yourself with aeasy to melt away. So, have keep that plan of action
reasonable portion of meat, vegetables without theto avoid getting those excess pounds during the
high-calorie sauces, and a few small bites of desserts.holidays. Carefully choose what food to eat. Eat
Eat slowly. But don't get stuck in guilt if you've eatenleisurely, and savor those holiday goodness.
too much. Feeling guilty only makes things worse. It