3 Strategies To Derail Dietary Disaster During the Holidays

by Lani Muelrath, M.A.

Do holiday festivities spell dietary disaster for you?

If they present challenges to your health and weight loss plans, then here are some specific, easy strategies to help.  You're not alone - but you knew that, right?

Jeanette, a new client, called me last week in a panic. Maybe you can relate.

She had several holiday events on her calendar, and before she knew it, she had already found herself in a dismal spiral of one feast episode after another. She was determined to call a halt to the process, which was ruining her holidays, energy, - and figure. That's when she decided to contact me.

After I calmed her down, I gave Jeanette a few simple strategies that I knew would make a huge difference for her as the holiday season continued. They were so successful for her, I thought I would share them with you, too.  

These tactics may seem like common sense, and they are. But when we're in a spiral and panic, common sense can seem so elusive, can't they?

This time of year, it's easy to be ambushed by mountains of incredible edibles (know what I mean?) There are, however, a few simple strategies that will make it possible for you to wake up January 1 without a pile of regrets and extra pounds.

They're simple strategies that can go a long way to keeping you trim through the holidays - (and maybe you are using them already!)

1) Holiday Trimming Trick #1: Eat defensively by planning ahead.

That's right! If you take time to plan your food and meals during the week and leave no
room for mindless snacking, you will more likely than not come out ahead. Nibbles of this and noshes of that - what you might call "mindless snacks" - can add up to a significant amount of calories. They might just be enough to make the difference between staying trim or a bigger size for and after the holidays.

Making sure that your food supply is stocked with quality, variety and balance - that means plenty of vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, proteins and other items on your quality foods list in the fridge and pantry, at your workplace, or wherever else you find yourself needing a meal or sustenance. What you HAVE is what you'll EAT, right?

Take the time to get to the market to stock up. It can make all the difference in the world.

2) Holiday Trimming Trick #2: Arrive with the edge already off of your hunger.

You know what it's like. You arrive at that holiday event feeling starved and ready to dive into the appetizer table with open jaws, feeling like you just want to eat until there is no tomorrow! Couple this with the fact that everything is so darn delicious and you don't stand a fighting chance.

Well my friend, you can avert this agonizing scenario and potential dietary disaster. Simply avoid arriving with such heightened hunger. This is one time when you may just want to "spoil your appetite" before the party.

If you have had something nutritious, fiber-full, and quality to eat a bit earlier in the day, you will be much more discriminatory in your choices and portions. Feeling out of control around piles of yummies is a painful experience often coupled with regrets. Plan ahead on this one, avoid the discomfort, and emerge in peace!

Another related strategy is to bring something of high quality for the buffet table with you! I remember last year being invited to a holiday get together for a mid-afternoon meal. I brought along a colorful tray of veggies for dipping. It turned out to be a good thing because that tray was the ONLY item with any vegetables or fruit on the table - I kid you not! There were chips, dips, chocolate, cookies, snack mix…that was it! I wasn't the only person there glad that I'd brought a veggie tray, believe me!

3) Holiday Trimming Trick #3: Alternate a glass with a glass.

If you plan to imbibe at the next gathering, party, or family dinner, you can easily temper your intake by alternating a glass of wine, bubbly or other libation with a glass of water. You'll stay more hydrated, consume less liquid calories overall, and find yourself in a better position to avoid excess poundage.

This works just as well even if you are not drinking alcoholic beverages. Eggnog, soda, and other sugary drinks can heap on the liquid calories faster than Santa's reindeer can jump to the roof!

There you have it - 3 simple strategies to keep you on top of things (or get YOU back in control, just like Jeanette) and enjoying the holiday social festivities once again!

© Lani Muelrath, M.A., award-winning holistic fitness coach, is creator of the Woman's Fitness BluePrint:  An Action Plan for Success. Download your FREE Audio and Special Report at http://www.lanimuelrath.com .You are welcome to use this article in your newsletter or website,  as long as you include this along  with it: "Fitness professional and entrepreneur Lani Muelrath, M.A., publishes the FitDream eZine with expert fitness advice weekly. Revolutionize your health, fitness and well-being, by going to www.lanimuelrath.com. "