It’s the most wonderful time of the year! If you’ve had weight loss surgery or are trying to lose weight, you may be wondering if you’ll truly be able to enjoy this holiday season. At McCarty Weight Loss Center, we believe it’s possible to have not just a happy holiday, but a healthy holiday, too.
Here are a few tips to follow for a guilt-free holiday season.
Plan a physical activity for the whole family
Sign your family up for the Dallas Jingle Bell Run, or make a trip to a local nature preserve for a family hike. While the kids are out of school, take advantage of the time to get out and make memories while being physically active.
Make healthy swaps in your favorite holiday recipes
Sure, you want to be able to enjoy your favorite holiday foods — and you can! (At least most of them!) Simply sub mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes; coconut milk for heavy cream; avocado or Greek yogurt for mayo and sour cream; applesauce for sugar in baking recipes; and use zero calorie sweetener like Stevia when you can. For more healthy recipe swaps, check out this blog post.
Always make time for exercise
Whether you’re traveling this holiday season or staying at home, pencil a workout into your daily schedule. Get up early and get your workout in before your busy day begins. Grab your spouse or a friend and hit up a local fitness class. Or pull up your favorite online workout video and get your sweat on in your own living room. There’s no good reason not to exercise.
Remember, working out isn’t just for weight loss. You’ll have more energy and sleep better, too! And if this time of year tends to be a stressful one for you, regular workouts may be just what you need to keep your stress levels in check.
Bring a healthy dish to your holiday potluck
If you’re headed to a holiday party or potluck, be the one to bring a healthy dish to the party. Cook up one of your favorite healthy recipes so you’ll be sure to have at least one healthy option you can eat at the party.
Eat smart
Fill your plate with protein first, then veggies and fresh fruit for something sweet. Drink plenty of water throughout the meal. Make one trip through the food line; don’t stand by the food table and graze. And be sure to eat a healthy meal or snack before you head to the holiday party so you won’t be starving when you get there.
Take the focus off of food
Give homemade gifts or crafts rather than sweet treats as a gift. Center your holiday party around gift-giving, games or simply making memories rather than making it all about the food. The reality is that there’s so much more to the holiday season than the good food on the table.
We don’t want you to miss out on the joy of the holiday season, but we do want to help you make it through this time of year without regrets. 2018 is just around the corner, and there’s no better time than now to start working toward your New Year’s resolution!
Happy holidays from McCarty Weight Loss Center!
