One of the hardest parts of the holiday season while on your weight loss journey is the food during a holiday event. As your social calendar fills up, your anxiety may also increase. How will you make it through not one but multiple events? Here are a few simple tips to prepare for a holiday event:
Bring a Healthy Dish
One way to overcome tempting food dishes is to bring your own. If you’re not preparing the holiday meal yourself, ask your host if it would be alright to bring an RM-approved dish that meets your dietary needs.
Buddy Up
Talk to a fellow dieter before the holidays. This can be a coworker, a friend, a family member, or a spouse. Plan to motivate and support each other throughout the season.
Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to be vocal about your weight loss goals. Let your close family members, friends, and the host know your dietary needs. Most people will be respectful and encouraging. This step can combat social pressures like encouraging you to eat seconds.
Have Food Containers Ready
If you’re hosting, plan to have guests take home any leftovers. This way, you are not tempted to continue eating after the meal is finished. Or, you can donate leftovers to a homeless shelter as well!
Wear Snug Clothing
Use this as an opportunity to be fashionable and functional! Choose a snug pair of jeans over comfy stretch pants for your dinner attire. Fitted clothing will help you stay mindful of what you are eating during holiday events.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is a natural appetite suppressant, making you feel fuller faster. Drinking a glass of water before eating a meal can help enhance feelings of fullness and decrease your intake during that meal.
Stay Active
Instead of watching TV after dinner, try going for a walk. There are even a few yoga poses you can try (like Yogi Squat and Child’s Pose) that aid in digestion after a big meal.
Start a New Tradition
The holidays don’t have to be food focused. Volunteering at a homeless shelter or hosting an ugly sweater contest will allow you to lean outside your comfort zone and build your confidence to overcome any holiday food challenges you may face.
Motivate & Reward Yourself
If you need extra motivation, plan to reward yourself after the holidays for committing to your meal plan. Your reward can be something like seeing a new movie or buying a new sweater. Think about this motivation when faced with temptation.
