How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain and Not Feel Deprived
We’re right in the throes of those weeks of the year where eating anything and everything “because it’s the holidays” is not only acceptable, but it’s encouraged. To avoid Granny’s pumpkin pie or noodle casserole might get you a few eye rolls or, worse yet, negative comments. Combine that with the overabundance of food EVERYWHERE and it becomes almost impossible to avoid holiday weight gain, and keep healthy living goals in sight.
Three reasons we eat more at the holidays
Situational Eating
It’s Thanksgiving so we stuff ourselves like turkeys because that’s what we’re “supposed” to do. Or, it’s Christmas party time and those scrumptious bakery treats are only available once per year so we start shoveling them in.
On Christmas, our tradition for 40 years is to eat double-stuffed French Toast for breakfast, Mac & Cheese Casserole for lunch and sweet potato casserole with rolls and creamy green bean casserole for dinner followed by Aunt Sally’s pecan pie.
We don’t even think about whether we enjoy these foods or they’re our favorites- we just eat- because- well it’s what we’re supposed to do and everyone’s doing it.
Fear of Missing Out (FoMo)
This is that sneaky thing that happens when we feel like others are having more fun. It’s a desire to stay connected to what others are doing- a fear of regret if we don’t participate.
Also, it’s the fear of making the wrong decision if we say no. We turn into little kids and convince ourselves that if “everyone else is doing it” that we should be to.
And we fear that we won’t be accepted or worse that we’re truly missing an experience by choosing not to indulge in a certain food. It sounds ridiculous to read, but it’s true when we begin to become mindful about our behaviors.
PIN THIS RESOURCE:
Stress
Stress makes us crave like crazy. We’re sleep deprived, have too much on our plates, have 5,000 events to attend over the course of the month, church play costumes to make, food to cook… the list goes on. Study after study shows that stressed out people eat more junk food. Why?
High cortisol levels (from stress), in combination with high insulin levels are likely responsible. STRESS plus eating starchy, sugary foods also seems to impact our ghrelin levels which is a powerful hunger hormone.
Interestingly, these foods really are “comfort foods” in that they SEEM to counteract stress as they inhibit brain activity that allows us to FEEL stressed. Because we “feel” better we crave more and more of these foods.
Instead, meal prep simple, healthy meals that are packed with flavor. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor when eating healthy!
We love how the Instant Pot as a simple way to meal prep healthy, but delicious meals. By making your meals in advance or readily available, helps you to stay on track most days. Plus, it allows more flexibility for a small splurge at parties.
Instant Pot Cookbook For Beginners: 600 Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes For Fast and Healthy Meals
Instant Pot Smart Wifi 6 Quart Multi-use Electric Pressure, Slow, Rice Cooker, Yogurt, Cake Maker, Sauté, Steamer and Warmer, SilverPressure Cooker Accessories Set Compatible with Instant Pot 5,6,8 QT, Steamer Basket, Springform Pan, Egg Rack, Egg Bites Mold, Cheat Sheet Magnets, Bowl Clip, Tong& Mitts and More/instanpot accessory
How to avoid holiday weight gain without feeling deprived
Be aware of what you eat and why you eat
Understand your emotions, tendencies and mindset around food. When you feel a craving coming on or find yourself about to enter a “situation”- be aware of it. Acknowledge it.
Don’t just react, but make choices. I would never suggest white-knuckling it through the holiday season, but mindless eating is also not the solution. Allow yourself to CHOOSE your treats rather than falling into one of these psychological traps.
Think through your food choices each and every time
Piggy backing on #1- when we become aware we are able to make choices. We aren’t so blindsided on January 1st that we’ve spent the last month eating on autopilot.
When we make choices each and every day and at each event we take responsibility. We need to think before we act. Our choices will not and should not be perfect all the time, but they are choices nonetheless.
At parties and holiday gatherings, make a small plate of food that’s mainly filled with veggies or filling ,healthy options. Allow yourself a splurge, but walk away from the food table once you’re done. Standing by the food table will tempt you to mindlessly snack while chatting with friends.
Move (even if it’s not formal exercise!)
While it’s tempting to hibernate all season, make an intentional choice to move your body each day. Scheduling time for simple workouts or intentional movement will help you maintain your weight during the holidays. You don’t have to wake up on January 1st and start there.
Instead, gather the family together for a stroll through the neighborhood to gaze at Christmas lights, have a dance party to Christmas music in the living room, or have an indoor family Olympics. These are simple ways to incorporate movement in your day when there’s no time for a formal workout.
Give yourself grace
You can eat a piece of (fill in the blank) and everything will be ok. Got stuck in one of the mindsets mentioned above? So what!
Guilt over food only increases our stress and makes us feel more helpless. Shrug it off, eat a great breakfast, get your walk or workout in and jump right back into your life.
Life is too short to allow a hunk of sugar to determine your self-worth for a week. Does God want food to rule your life? Not one bit. Does He love you less for over-eating for a meal, a day, a week or a month? Absolutely not. I’m not talking about having a “whatever” attitude, but focus on progress rather than perfection. Every. Single Day.
Pray through temptation
Don’t think that your holiday eating habits are too trivial to give to God. So many women walk around not fulfilling their full potential because they harbor guilt or feelings of inadequacy because they don’t “have it all together” when it comes to food. That’s the Devil doing his dirty work in your heart.
Pray that God will help you with all of the above- that He will help you to see what’s important throughout this season and prioritize Him above all else. If food is an idol for you then go ahead and surrender that to Him. If you feel guilt ridden over one piece of pie or that food is controlling your life then give it to God. Let. It. Go.
Now- let’s all have a fabulous holiday season. Let’s embrace the true reason for the season and focus on spending special moments with family and friends rather than getting so caught up in all of the food we ARE or AREN’T eating. Here’s to a season of cheer for you and yours!!!
Let’s keep our health goals during the holidays… together!
Do you want a friend to make avoiding holiday weight gain even easier and fun? Last year I joined this FREE challenge by my friend Sara at The Holy Mess.
She’s lost (and kept off!) over 100 lbs! She will encourage you with biblical wisdom and practical healthy living tips to help you enjoy the holidays without the usual weight gain (and no, it doesn’t mean you only have to eat salad!)
This challenge will help you:
- Maintain your weight (and not feel deprived)
- Enjoy delicious food (who said healthy had to be bland)
- Feel great (and start the new year strong)
So let’s enter the new year ahead instead of behind… together!