Thanks to the abundance of cookies, cakes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and different varieties of meat, it's almost a given for most people to gain weight during the holiday season. Shedding that weight isn't as easy as it was to gain. Many people don't lose the extra pounds they put on during the holidays. There are some things you can do to make this year different and lose that extra weight.
Count Calories
Losing weight is all about math. Eat fewer calories than you consume on a regular basis and those holiday pounds will be gone before you know it. Use a calorie calculator to figure out the average number of calories your body needs to maintain its current weight. Since it takes a burn of 3,500 calories to lose 1 lb., subtract 500 from your average daily calorie intake to determine how many calories you can consume every day in order to lose 1 lb. per week. Stick to that calorie count and you'll shed the holiday pounds within a few months.
Balance Your Diet
Your body works the most efficiently at burning calories when it has the right balance of nutrients and vitamins. Aim for the standard balance of food groups as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the food pyramid. For adults, that means consuming 6 oz. of grains and carbohydrates per day, 2 cups of fruit, 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 3 cups of dairy and 5 1/2 oz. of meat and beans for protein.
Drink Water
Overeating is often caused by feeling hungry before meals. Overeating and consuming too many calories will prevent you from getting rid of the extra pounds you picked up during the holidays. To combat this, drink a full glass of water before each meal. Water is calorie-free and will help fill your stomach, making you feel full faster and helping you achieve your weight-loss goal sooner.
An Apple -- Or Three -- A Day
Another way to help you feel more full on fewer calories per day after the holidays is consuming healthful foods that are high in fiber. Apples are a perfect example. Eat a medium apple before each meal. The fiber will help fill your stomach and help you feel fuller longer, preventing overeating later in the day.
Find Creative Ways to Burn Calories
Getting to the gym or hopping on the treadmill isn't the only way to burn calories after the holidays. All around you are opportunities to burn extra calories; you just have to get creative. Take the stairs every chance you get instead of the elevator or escalator. Park at the far end of the parking lot at the mall or grocery store. Ride your bike to the store or to work where you can. Take walks in the evening instead of lounging in front of the TV. Make a resolution to get moving more often.
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