Minimizing Holiday Weight Gain with Ease

Updated: November, 2021

I purposely titled this post: Minimizing Holiday Weight Gain with Ease, fully realizing that this time of year is just plain fun! With all the parties and family gatherings and good times to be had, we definitely need to live a little. So by minimize I will leave that up to you as an Individual Woman, because that’s what WMR stands for—individuality. In my 51 years I have never gained weight over the holiday season. When I say never, that is exactly what I mean and I owe it all to these 5 simple rules of holiday weight management.

My girlfriend said: I hope this doesn’t mean not being able to indulge in good eats and spirits over the holiday season? I am hear to confirm, that it does not. So sit back and grab a glass of spirits and read until the spirits kick in. 😎

Here are 5 rules I have always followed to minimize weight gain during the holidays, heck 365 days a year!

EXERCISE!!!! Now that is a lot of exclamation points! You can argue with me until we both turn in disgust and walk away. But during the holidays is not the time to let up on your exercise regime but to the contrary STEP it up! During the holiday season I kick my exercise regime up even more. Instead of Pilates 3 times a week I do it 5 for example. I add 5 more minutes to each session. I up my workout days from 5 to 6. I implement just a few small changes that really add up. I do however purposely schedule one day off a week no matter what to give myself a break, this is mandatory! 😀
Lighten up your recipes. And I am talking all recipes from everyday dining, to baked goods to your libations. I have attached this link for recipe substitutions from the Mayo Clinic. Lightening up your libations is a must as those calories can add up and add up fast! My drinks of choice are always or mostly vodka or tequila based. There are some very good mixes on the market available at your local grocery store that are lower in calories when you are making a martini or margarita. Skinnygirl has a great line of mixers for cocktails. Take out some of the higher calorie ingredients and replace them with no cal or low cal alternatives. Costco has a pre-made margarita mix that is to die for. I always fill my glass halfway with diet gingerale, this way I can enjoy the great, full flavor without sacrificing quantity. Note: when you are baking some ingredient substitutions don’t always yield the best product but keep experimenting and I promise you the rewards will be worth it! Of course the alternative to lightening up your recipes is to limit your quantities but who doesn’t like two cookies instead of one, who, who??? 😛
Lighten Up!
Plan your Party Strategy. You are going to Aunt Mabel’s house and you just love her apple pie. You know you want a big piece! Lower your food intake during the day. This is how you can fully go about indulging your senses with that big ole piece of pie, without one teensy bit of regret. If you think you may get a little hungry during the day and are afraid of sabotage, pack yourselves some cut up veggies, ones you like, carrot/celery sticks etc and pop one in your mouth every time you might give in to the temptation of more treats than you wanted. Keep your eye on the PIE!!! If you are going to an occasion such as a company holiday party where you know they are going to “play that funky music till you die” and you will be on the dance floor for hours, you may skip this step (see I am very reasonable). 🙂
Nature’s Candy

Dancing Machines
Change the way you think about holiday indulgence. Hear me out. So many holiday customs revolve around food. Heck, life revolves around food no matter your background. I am just suggesting a tiny shift in our way of thinking to find something besides high calorie laden foods and cocktails to add to our holiday repertoire. When you go to reach for that additional helping of mashed potatoes (my weakness) or the like maybe reach or touch that special ornament or decoration that has been handed down from generation to generation that you might love instead. The feelings for wanting seconds just might pass! You may be thinking she is way out there on this one but you have to admit it is “food” for thought! 😉
Hello my name is Kim, and I am a Nutcrackeraholic!
Practice Self Control! I saved this one for last because I didn’t want the good feelings between us to end so soon. It should have been number one. Those of you who know me and know me well know there is no one who practices self control when it comes to all foods more than I. I can unequivocally walk my walk and talk my talk here. I open a bite size bag of skittles (love the rainbow) eat 7 pieces and save the rest for the next day or whenever. I date all bags of candy I open so when I go to have another taste I know if it is still fresh. When switching pocketbooks I have found almost full bags dated over a year ago. You get the point. So in answer to my friends statement of earlier: I hope this doesn’t mean not being able to indulge in good eats and spirits over the holiday season, it absolutely does not. I love, repeat love desserts and sweets of any kind! I like to try lots of them, all that are laid out before me. I just indulge in bites of each. I choose where I want to spend my calories. If I want more cocktails, I cut back on dinner or desserts and vice-versa. You got this! 😀
Sample a little of a lot!

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Kimberly

Author; Blogger; Self-Proclaimed “Woman” of all trades and Self-Proclaimed “Master” of some! AFAA Certified Group Aerobics Instructor since 1998; MA Licensed Real Estate Agent since 1995; former Certified Financial Counselor and Passionate Advocator of Financial Education for Women. Tech Geek; Home Cook & Most Importantly, Mother of 3, my #1 Reason for Living!!!