Kiss that "Lose Weight" Resolution Good-bye!
Now that your mind is at ease, let's calm those grumbling tummies and eat! Or not?! Or maybe just one bite?? Like we've never heard that one before! You know how it goes ... first a bite, then a nibble ... next thing you know you've gobble-gobbled your way from hors d'ouerves to desserts, pork loin to pecan pie — and not once did you mix in anything green! Oh the shame! The guilt! All those after-work nights slaving away on that elliptical with the ear-piercing squeaks — wasted! Here at FemmeScience, we feel your pain! That's why we searched high and low, far and wide, and spent countless hours compiling, calculating, computing to create the perfect solution ... [clouds part, angels sing, golden rays of light appear] ... introducing our seven-step program to prevent unnecessary holiday-induced augmentation!
The holiday season is a time for friends, family and festivities. It's also a time for delicious yet not-so-healthy foods! We women tend to pack on the pounds during the holidays. With the average American consuming a day's worth of calories in one holiday meal, each celebratory dinner can wreak havoc on your waistline. Fear not: The following holiday tweaks will help you indulge without leaving you stuffed like a turkey — pun totally intended!
1. Have breakfast the morning of the festivities. If you're thinking about skipping breakfast to make room for that big holiday dinner, think again. By eating a morning meal, you're kick-starting your metabolism for the day and increasing your calorie burn.
2. Control your portions. Eat with your stomach, not your eyes. As good as the holiday spread looks, don't start piling a mountain of food onto your plate. Take a little bit of everything, finish that food and get some more if you're hungry. With that said ...
3. Pace yourself. It takes time for your body to signal that it's full, so although you might still be hungry after that helping of turkey, buttery biscuits and marshmallow-covered yams, wait a few minutes. Your stomach is about the size of two closed fists, so it's likely that the first helping of food was enough to fill you up. Your body just doesn't know it yet.
4. Load up on veggies. Vegetables like pumpkin, green beans, sweet potatoes and carrots are loaded with antioxidants that are not only good for your skin, but also for your overall health. Stock up on these during dinner and avoid the glazes, gravy and toppings that might accompany them — you don't need the extra carbs. Not a fan of vegetables?
5. Lay off the alcohol. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and stimulates your appetite, which increases your chances of reaching for that extra slice of pie. Alcohol also dehydrates you, so you're likely to wake up with dry mouth and under eye circles — not to mention other hangover symptoms. If you do decide to indulge, make sure to drink water in between drinks to stay hydrated.
6. Eat your meats without the skin. Turkey, for example, is packed with protein as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that supports increases in muscle mass and decrease body fat, giving you that nice, slender look. By getting rid of the skin, you'll be cutting down on not only calories but also fat and cholesterol.
7. Focus more on the people, not the food. Food is only one part of the holiday. Don't forget the fact you're surrounded by great family and friends (unless you hate your in-laws — it's ok we won't tell!). Engage in conversation and share some laughs. Before you know it, you'll be too distracted to want that second helping of dessert.
|