Stay in Shape This Holiday

The Holiday season is here again, and for the weight-conscious people, it only means one thing-more food and more weight to gain. As we find more opportunities to relax and more reasons to indulge, we find ourselves gaining the amount of weight we have tried so hard to avoid all year. We find all the excuses to give ourselves a chance and drown that one flavor of ice cream we have been craving for, join our friends night after night in cocktail parties, or eat whatever is served on the dining table during get-togethers. If there's one time of the year that's dangerous to our waistline, it's this season of merriment.

But have you ever thought that it is possible to enjoy this season without having to feel guilty? Totally avoiding weight gain during this time of the year is impossible, but minimizing it can help you stay in shape. After all, who can resist all that delicious food at a party?

Staying in shape during this time of the year might be difficult at first, but with determination and perseverance, you might just be one of those people who still fit in their jeans when the New Year comes. Here are some tips to help you avoid gaining all that fat this season.

1. Motivate yourself

Buy a pair of jeans for Christmas and hang it on your bedroom door, or buy a little black dress and make it a point to wear it at a Christmas party. This way, it's easier to tell it you were able to avoid weight gain and maintain your shape, or better yet, if you were able to lose weight.

2. Don't Set Goals

Setting goals will only disappoint you if you fail to achieve them. If you really need to have goals, make them specific, attainable, and set a possible time frame. This way, you can avoid frustrations that come with the failure to attain your target weight.

3. Know the Alternatives

The festive season is not about dieting. Allow yourself to indulge and enjoy every party. Do not make it feel like a death sentence. The rules are simple when it comes to food-stay away from foods with too much dairy products like ice cream, cakes, and creamy salads. The same is to be said for oily foods. You do not have to starve yourself this season; discipline is all it takes to sacrifice your favorite fatty foods for healthier ones. Remember, spicy and organic foods are your best choices.

4. Exercise

Exercise is an old cliché when it comes to dieting, but it never fails. The Holidays mean more time off from work, so there is absolutely no excuse to slack off. Even small work-outs like jogging every morning will really pay off. To motivate yourself, join a fitness club so you can meet a lot of interesting people as you work your body into shape. You can also ask some friends to join you so you will always think of working out as just another great day with friends.

Keep in mind that losing weight is not something that can be done overnight. You need motivation, discipline, and determination to lose the extra pounds and stay away from weight gain not only during Christmas, but all throughout the year.