So, you are the good girl who sticks to her diet all summer and fall, but finds it impossible to resist temptation at all the holidays parties. I hardly blame ya. There’s the office party, family parties, and so many more… but you can watch what you eat in the holiday season, and still indulge and have fun! Here’s how.
If you eat a balanced, healthy meal before you attend a holiday party, you’re far less likely to pick at foods that will wreck your diet.
Most fru-fru holiday drinks (like egg nog and White Russians) contain mixers that are loaded with fat and calories. Stay away!
If you’re not certain that there will be healthful food available at the party you’re attending, bring a veggie tray or a delicious, low-fat dessert to pass and share.
If you didn’t bring your own healthful dish, then keep your eyes open for anything nutritious that might be laid out, like a fruit or veggie tray. There's gotta be some low cal foodsomewhere!
You know what? It’s a holiday party! Go ahead and indulge in a small chocolate rasberry brownie mousse or cookie. The key, as always is moderation.
If you doubt your will power to stay motivated to stick to a diet, bring a friend to the party with you, to keep you from going a little overboard.
Who hasn’t stuffed themselves silly at a holiday dinner? Know when to stop — when you’re comfortably full.
OK, so maybe you had one too many of Aunt Jenny’s cherry-cordial brownies. Don’t beat yourself up! Just spend an extra ten minutes on the treadmill or elliptical or doing some other form ofcardio exercises.
If you know your sister will be pushing her apple tarts, or your mother will force her mashed potatoes on you, then stay away from them til dinner is done.
Water is incredible — it keeps us hydrated and healthy. It can also make us feel full. Keep a bottle of water handy, and when you’re feeling tempted, take a swig.
If you know you can’t resist the desserttray once you’ve seen it, stay away from it. Don’t even look at it. Avoid it. Avert your eyes. Get the idea?
Look, the holidays and requisite parties only come once a year. Don’t expect to have a perfect season of humble carrot sticks. Set a more reasonable goal, and stick to that instead.
I don’t know about you, but I feel prepared to head to a few holiday parties now! Bring it on! But tell me — how do you resist the hundreds of little diet-breaking temptations throughout this time of year? What’s your trick? Please let me know… quick! I hear my sister's making rum cake!
Top Photo Credit: surlygrrrl [ELBfoto]