Here are some fitness coaches' top tips for enjoying yourself during the holiday season while not letting the pounds pile up. Holly Baxter, APD, M.S. Dietetics "October through December is not the ideal time to be dieting, a better idea would be to plan for a period of maintenance.If you do, however, find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing to diet during this festive season, you may like to grant yourself permission for a few higher calorie days. If you take this approach, have a plan and stick to it. Set yourself some realistic targets for just a few, key holiday occasions, rather than going ham, every single weekend for the final 3 months of the year. When attending events, pack a few of your favorite lower calorie party foods that will help you stay on track with your macros, and enjoy yourself" A few planned high days is better than 3 months of eating and drinking yourself into a new clothing size." David Mathas, M.S. “One of the best ways to stay on track and enjoy the holiday celebrations is to make sure to not neglect physical activity. No matter if you are home in the comfort of your own environment and access to the gym, or you are traveling around visiting family, there is always something you can do to stay active and put those calories to good use. You can go for walks, runs, and full-body strength training like pushups, walking lunges, and planks no matter where you are.” Sarah Ford, BS “My best holiday party eating tip is to stop making the holidays all about food! Sure food is a part of holiday celebrations, but it doesn’t have to be the focus. I recommend turning your attention to the experience of the holiday as a whole; surround yourself with good company and reflect on all the other wonderful aspects of this time of year- besides what’s on the menu! Maybe suggest playing a group board game before the meal instead of munching on appetizers, take a post-meal walk with a family member to catch up, and when it is meal time- eat slowly and savor the flavors that you only enjoy a few times a year." Keith Kraker, RD "The best way to stay on track is to plan ahead. Know the days you will eat more than normal and plan accordingly to meet your weekly average needs. You’re never 100% on/off your diet so allow some flexibility to enjoy the holidays while staying on track with your goals!” Noah Lee “Don't go out on an empty stomach. During Thanksgiving or Christmas people often wait to eat during the day until it is time to go to a gathering where there will be large amounts of food and drink. This usually leaves people arriving absolutely famished and ready to feast. Because of this, it is very often hard to control our eating and appetite. Calorie targets can easily be surpassed in one sitting. Try eating something that will have you partially satiated so that when you arrive at a gathering you are not starving. I personally will eat a protein bar or two, a protein shake, or some other high protein meal that allows me to save carbs and fats for later on in the day.” Jaymes Longstrom, MS “Avoiding weight gain during the holidays will depend largely on how you prepare for social gatherings and highly appetizing food choices. One way to prepare is eating fewer calories days before and after the event or replacing your normal breakfast with a protein shake before heading over to that Thanksgiving lunch. Allow yourself some flexibility and enjoy the food, but try focusing on larger portions of protein and vegetable sources and limit or take smaller portions of calorie dense foods like stuffing, gravy, casseroles, etc. Get up and move, play catch, go for a walk and put that extra food to work.” Nina Silic “Don’t forget about liquid calories. As much as it is important to make wise choices and focus on your portion sizes, it can be very easy to blow your calorie budget by consuming too many liquid calories. Holidays are for enjoying time with loved ones, and with that may come an extra adult beverage, or two, or three. But can drinks can also contain a large amount calories that you may not be aware of. Be mindful of your liquid beverage intake. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and opt for diet beverages where possible over mixers. You absolutely can enjoy a few extra alcoholic drinks but be mindful of your intake and remember YES they contain calories too.“
"... During Thanksgiving or Christmas people often wait to eat during the day until it is time to go to a gathering where there will be large amounts of food and drink. This usually leaves people arriving absolutely famished and ready to feast. Because of this, it is very often hard to control our eating and appetite. Calorie targets can easily be surpassed in one sitting. Try eating something that will have you partially satiated so that when you arrive at a gathering you are not starving. I personally will eat a protein bar or two, a protein shake, or some other high protein meal that allows me to save carbs and fats for later on in the day.” Back in the day, at Roman feasts, they used to stuff themselves with revelry, purge, and go at it again. Man, they really knew how to party back then. I am sure there was sex involved, too, with mud baths. And @Baron, all those folks' pics you posted? They never drank coffee. You can tell by their teeth whiteness. Never trust folks who have not had their enamel stained with the nectar of the morning.