Most people dread the holidays because of the abundance of delicious food. Most party food is not healthy. If you are on a diet or trying to maintain your weight, what do you do? Do you starve yourself while everyone else is having a good time and indulging in all that succulent food? Do not fear. Your holiday worries are solved. Here are a few tips that will allow you to indulge without the guilt.
Keep your portions small
It has been said over and over again but it is worth repeating during the holidays – get (and eat) just a little bit of everything. You don’t have to say no to that piece of cake or ham. Just get a thin slice of ham. For dessert, you can get half a slice of cake. If there are different desserts, you can still try each one as long as you just get one piece or the smallest portion. You won’t gain too much weight this way. You will also feel full afterward.
Small plate
Get a small plate if you can. That way you have the illusion that you already have enough food on your plate. A big plate will make you grab more food to accommodate all that space.
Cheat Day
Most diets usually have a cheat day so why don’t you do that during this season. It’s the holidays and you are allowed to eat not-so-healthy dishes… in moderation. Give yourself a break or in this case, a reward for being so good the rest of the year. So go on, get another cupcake or chocolate truffle. You deserve it.
Choose healthy desserts
If you are hosting a family dinner or if you are having a potluck lunch, volunteer to prepare dessert. You can make a healthy trifle using yogurt and fruits. You can also make refreshing fruit sorbets. Sweet does not have to mean unhealthy. Use honey instead of sugar and use more fruits for that natural sweetness.
Indulge in other activities
Indulging does not always have to involve food. You can indulge in other activities. Here are a few examples.
Sleep
How much sleep do you get per day? The holidays are the perfect excuse to stay under the covers an hour or two longer. Heck, you can even sleep the whole day if you want to. It’s also so much nicer and easier to sleep longer during this season because the temperature is cooler.
Book a Massage
Christmas and New Year can be quite hectic. Set aside one day to treat yourself to one massage. Get a massage and even a sports therapy treatment and just allow all the stress to melt away. After working hard the whole year, you deserve to be pampered. Just call Dynamic Sports Medicine office to set it up.
Take the time to indulge your passions
Do you love to run but no longer have the time to do so because of your hectic schedule? Do you love to play football, basketball or another team sport for fun? This is the perfect time to grab your family and friends to head outside a good time. It will help you relax, laugh, and enjoy some while rejuvenating your mind and body. Doing something you love will boost your happiness level and help you get ready for the New Year.
The holidays give you lots of excuses to indulge in different things. Just don’t forget your responsibilities to your health. Do not indulge now and be filled with guilt and regret come January. It feels good to indulge but your health and well-being always come first.
