1. Keep up your regular physical activity throughout the holiday season. If you are feeling strapped for time, make the session a few minutes shorter.
2. Don't go to a party hungry. We often eat faster and more when we are hungry - therefore eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch to avoid overeating at the party. You might even want to eat a small, nutritious snack before leaving for the party to give you the willpower to resist hors d'oeuvres, saving your calories for the meal.
3. Offer to bring a healthy dish, one you know you can enjoy without lots of extra calories. I usually offer to bring a nice green or fruit salad.
4. Wear a comfortable, yet tight outfit that will not allow you to overindulge.
5. Watch your alcohol calories – they add up fast. Alternate alcoholic beverages with non-calorie beverages such as sparkling water.
6. Be a food snob. If you don't love it, don't eat it. Look over all the food offerings before you decide what you are going to eat. Enjoy the foods you really treasure in the holidays and be okay with passing on the ones you get year round. My favorite is the bread stuffing at Thanksgiving – why would I want to waste calories on mashed potatoes. I can have those any time, year round.
7. Portion control and moderation are the keys to success. Use a smaller plate (the dessert plate is good). Studies show that when folks used a smaller plate they reported feeling satisfied with 40 percent less than those who used a larger plate.
8. Eat slowly and savor every bite. We eat so fast that our stomachs don't have enough time to register that they are full. Savor each bite and enjoy the taste of the food – chances are you will eat less.
9. Don't linger or park yourself in front of the food table! Move around and mingle, you will be less tempted to grab another bit if you have to walk across the room to get it.
10. Always sit down while you eat. This will slow you down a bit in how fast you eat as well as allow you to be more mindful of what you are eating.
Tue 09 Dec 2008 02:51:56 CST