10 Tips to Maintain, Don't Gain Weight This Holiday Season
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trying to lose weight around the holidays is tough, but maintaining your weight doesn't have to be. It is possible to fit even traditional holiday treats into a healthy eating plan. The secret is moderation and balance.
Here are some tips to keep you on track from Luigi Gratton, M.D., vice president of medical affairs at Herbalife, a global nutrition and direct-selling company:
1. Activity compensates for extra calories - Give yourself the gift of 30
minutes of exercise a day. In addition to burning calories, exercise also
helps to relieve tension - so you are less likely to eat to control holiday
stress.
2. H20, H20, H20 - A little water goes a long way - small sips throughout the
day are a smart way to keep well hydrated. It acts as a shock absorber and
joint lubricant, helps to transport nutrients and eliminate waste, and
works in regulating body temperature. Even better, water has no fat, no
calories and no cholesterol.
3. Be a food snob - Don't waste precious calories on everyday chips or
crackers. Be selective and choose only the foods you really love, or that
you associate with the season.
4. Bundle flavors - Variety might be the spice of life, but it is also a
recipe for overeating. Bundle together similar flavors. For instance, put
only salty (or meaty) foods on your plate at once. You will grow tired of
that specific flavor more quickly and end up feeling satisfied on fewer
calories.
5. Pare down those portions - Try to keep your portions small and make only
one visit to the buffet. Choose the smallest plate possible. Pile greens
and other tasty veggies on your plate first, leaving just a little room for
those high-calorie treats like sweets and cheeses. Eat small, lower-calorie
meals during the day so you can enjoy a special treat later - just make
sure you do not starve yourself for the party and overeat later.
6. Step away from the table - If you don't put your choices on a plate, you
have no idea how much you are really eating. The worst thing you can do at
a party is stand around the table dipping into the bowl.
7. Drink slimmer - Alcohol is a double whammy during the holidays. It tends to
weaken your resistance when it comes to eating, and the calories in drinks
add up quickly. Sip on a glass of water between cocktails.
8. "I paid for it, so I'm going to eat it" - Don't feel as if you need to
clean your plate just because you paid for it. Put part of your meal right
away into a take-home container. Portion sizes in restaurants can be two to
three times the amount you need. Instead of the usual starch and vegetable
sides, skip the starch and double the veggies instead. Stop eating as soon
as you begin to feel full.
9. Zen Yourself - Holidays can be stressful. Keep expectations for the holiday
season manageable. Organize your time and make a list and prioritize the
important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. And
don't forget to schedule some down time to relax.
10. Slip, don't slide - If you eat three helpings of mashed potatoes and half a
pumpkin pie, all is not lost. Rather than polishing off the rest, learn
from your slip-up. Next time, eat a salad first, start a conversation, and
park yourself far from the danger zone. The next time starts today.
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About Herbalife Ltd.
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) is a global network marketing company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in 70 countries through a network of over 1.9 million independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. Please visit Herbalife Investor Relations for additional financial information.
Source: Herbalife Ltd.
Released Dec 4, 2008 • 2:01pm EST