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6 Holiday Health Traps to Avoid to Keep Weight Loss on Track
Did you know that, at any given time, about 160 million Americans are trying to lose weight? If you consider the fact that nearly three-quarters of us are either overweight or have obesity, it starts to make perfect sense.
One of the challenges many people face when trying to lose weight is navigating the holidays, when feasting abounds.
If your holidays typically center around food, our experienced team of health care providers at CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care wants to review a few holiday health traps to avoid. After all, you’ve come this far, and you don’t want to undo all your great work.
1. Putting weight loss on hold
Life sometimes comes to a temporary halt over the holidays — kids are out of school, and adults have time off work. This doesn’t mean your weight loss should also take a break.
Momentum is important when you’re trying to lose weight — momentum that’s physical, metabolic, and mental — and taking a break can send you back to square one. So, enjoy some time off, but not from your weight loss efforts.
2. Feasting rather than grazing
It’s called a holiday feast, but we urge you not to think of it that way. Instead, view it as an opportunity to graze and sample foods you wouldn’t normally eat throughout the year. The goal isn’t deprivation when you diet — you can still enjoy food, just less of it.
3. Using a larger plate
Plate size matters. A great way to manage holiday eating and portion size is to use a smaller plate. Instead of grabbing the large dinner plate, a great hack is to use a salad or dessert plate for your holiday eating.
4. Relying on holiday food
If your family is known for serving meals that are long on calories and short on nutrition, why not bring your own healthy dish to the meal? That way, you can ensure there’s something you can dive into that supports your weight loss.
Or, if you’re hosting, go ahead and fill your table with healthy, nutritious foods that will benefit everyone who comes to eat.
5. Lingering by buffet and snack tables
Often, holiday gatherings feature food on every surface and lots of pre-dining snacks. You can keep your weight loss on track by steering clear of these tables and the mindless eating that comes with being near them.
Instead, plant yourself in a safe place away from the food and make every trip to the food table a purposeful one.
6. Stopping exercise
Just as it’s not a good idea to let your diet go on break, the same holds for exercise. A nice post-meal walk with family is a great way for everyone to get outside and move around.
This activity can aid digestion, burn calories, and keep blood sugar levels down, all of which are important if you’re trying to lose weight.
If you’d like a more personalized plan for keeping your weight loss on track over the holidays, we’re happy to help. For more information, you can schedule an appointment at one of our CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care convenient locations in Houston or Katy, Texas. We also offer telehealth appointments.
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