20 Ways to Beat Post-Holiday Weight Gain

Guilty of overeating during the holidays? Here are 20 simple ways to beat weight gain.

Water
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Drink water

People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like noshing, reach for water first. Drinking also helps you feel full. Some experts suggest sipping water (or iced tea) just before you sit down to a meal. Continue drinking as you eat to add volume and weight to your meal.

scale
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Set realistic goals

One or two pounds a week maximum is doable. Top weight-loss programs advocate stopping after the first ten pounds and maintaining that loss for about six months before trying to lose any more. Reminder: this is the season to gain weight—here’s how much we pack on.

pasta
Kiian Oksana/Shutterstock

Build in splurges

If you allow yourself to eat whatever you want for two meals out of every 21, you won’t inflict enough damage to subvert your weight loss. And you’ll feel less deprived.

timer
Devenorr/Shutterstock

Count to 10

Studies suggest that the average craving lasts only about ten minutes.  So before caving into your urge, set your mental timer for a ten-minute time-out. Use the time to tackle an item on your to-do list; choose one that will give you a sense of accomplishment—and get you out of the kitchen.

eating
nenetus/Shutterstock

Eat more often

People who have kept their weight off for more than a few years tend to eat an average of five times a day. Light, frequent meals curb your appetite, boost your energy, improve your mood and even speed your metabolism, since the process of digestion itself burns calories. Don’t miss these 30 little diet changes that can help you lose weight.

Calendar
Natashilo/Shutterstock

Make weekly resolutions

Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. If you make too many changes at once, chances are you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel. Instead, make one change, such as eating at least one piece of fruit daily, every week.

exercise
Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock

Start with 10 percent

People who start by focusing on achieving just 10 percent of their long-range weight-loss goal may have the best chance of ultimate success. Losing those first pounds yields the biggest health gains, too, since belly fat is usually the first to come off and is the most dangerous.

salsa
Melinda Fawver/Shutterstock

Spike your meals with salsa

This spicy condiment can stand in for mayo to deliver plenty of flavor without the fat. Mix it with a bit of low-fat yogurt to make tuna salad. Spread it on a veggie burger, or serve it with chicken or fish. Learn the weight-loss tricks only nutritionists know.

shrimp
SPBROne/Shutterstock

Take one-third off

When you eat dinner out, reduce the temptation to clean your plate by setting aside one-third of your meal. Ask the server for a doggie bag, and take it home for lunch the next day. Try serving yourself one-third less at home too. This simple tactic could subtract more than 500 calories a day.

beer
F8 studio/Shutterstock

Go easy on the alcohol

Remember that alcohol is a source of calories. A 12-ounce beer has 150 calories; a 3.5-ounce glass of wine, 85. A margarita packs a bigger caloric punch. Even worse offenders are creamy cocktails, such as brandy alexanders and mudslides—equivalent to drinking a rich dessert. The bottom line: If you’re trying to lose weight, stick with water. Follow these simple tricks to cut back on alcohol.

notes
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Write notes to yourself

To help you stay on track, post notes to yourself on the fridge and the pantry. Put up a little stop sign or make tags with questions like “Do you want this food enough to wear it?” and “Are the calories worth the consequences?”

Soda
Fortyforks/Shutterstock

Stay away from sodas

Soft drinks are a major source of empty calories in the American diet. We drink twice as much soda as milk and nearly six times more soda than fruit juice. But fluids don’t satisfy your appetite as well as solids. A study at Purdue University found that when people were fed 450 calories daily as jelly beans or as soda, the soda drinkers gained a significant amount of weight, but the jelly-bean eaters compensated for the extra calories by cutting back on other food. So if you crave something sweet, you’re better off chewing it than gulping it. If you’re truly thirsty, reach for water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda. These are the things experts won’t tell you about weight loss.

utensils
chaowalit jaiyen/Shutterstock

Don’t just eat—dine

Eating on the run or in front of the tube invites mindless munching. Instead, set the table every time you eat. Make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on your best china helps focus your attention so you don’t eat the whole bag.

meat
Valerio Pardi/Shutterstock

Up your protein (a little)

Research suggests that protein prolongs the feeling of fullness better than carbohydrates or fats do. Studies in Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, and England found that people who ate a high-protein breakfast or lunch were less hungry at their next meal. Protein also requires a few more calories to digest. Just don’t go overboard. Stick to low-fat protein sources like low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, low-fat soy drinks or snacks, or thinly sliced turkey breast. Here’s how to eat more protein without even trying.

measuring-spoons
Ramon L. Farinos/Shutterstock

Learn how to measure

It’s easy to misjudge portion sizes. Pull out the measuring spoons and cups, especially for full-fat salad dressings, dairy foods, and mayo. Check out these genius portion control tricks.

Strawberries
second Studio/Shutterstock

Make smart substitutions

Look for nutritious low-calorie alternatives to sugary, high-fat treats. Try frozen grapes instead of candy. Use air-popped popcorn instead of oil-popped. Dip fresh strawberries in fat-free fudge sauce for a sensuous chocolaty treat, and try this healthy hot chocolate recipe instead of the just-add-water kind.

Vegetables
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Have a “party plan”

When attending a party, offer to bring a plate. Arriving armed with chopped fresh veggies and a low-fat dip—or any other low-calorie snack—ensures that you’ll have something to snack on without feeling guilty.

Shopping
Andrii Kobryn/Shutterstock

Think positively

Experts note that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Train yourself to focus on your best points rather than your weak spots. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you at your current weight. Update your hairstyle and get a makeup consultation so you feel attractive today. Check out these 50 ways to lose weight naturally.

walking
Blazej Lyjak/Shutterstock

Give yourself a break

No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

yoga
shurkin son/Shutterstock

Relax!

Some people binge when they’re stressed. A Yale University study found that women who secreted the most cortisol (a hormone released during stress) ate the most high-fat food after stress. The combination of cortisol and insulin prompts the body to store fat in preparation for possible starvation—just what you don’t need. If stress has a stronghold on your life, try learning yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises. Next, find out 31 more ways to avoid holiday weight gain.