While we’re all for enjoying yourself during the holidays, if you indulge with abandon, it can completely derail all the hard work you did during the year. Okay—maybe not all of it, but enough to set you back and make you lose motivation when the New Year rolls around. There’s a reason why our weight loss doctor witnesses a few members falling off track this time of year.
Avoid overdoing it with this guide to a low carb holiday!
Operate on a deficit. Don’t get carried away with this tactic, but if you plan to indulge on one of your carb-laden favorites at a holiday meal, cut back on your carb consumption for a couple of days in advance. This will help to compensate for your treat.
Be realistic. If you know you’re going to have too much temptation and want to indulge a little bit during your holiday festivities, set a realistic goal for yourself. Instead of trying to lose weight during the next week or so, simply try to maintain your current weight. If you do this, you won’t feel like you failed and lose motivation.
Be consistent. Stick with your normal eating habits all week except for at your holiday meals and special events. This will help offset the potential damage that you incur at your festivities.
Be selective. Instead of just loading your plate with everything at the spread, carefully choose your favorite holiday treats and skip the rest. Don’t eat something just because it’s in front of you if it’s not really what you want.
Don’t arrive hungry. Whether you’re heading to your company party, a holiday open house or your Christmas dinner, don’t skip meals throughout the day to “save up” for the big meal or party. This will ensure you overeat rather than dabble in some indulgence. Have healthy high protein or fiber snacks so that your stomach isn’t grumbling when you arrive at your destination.
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