When we think “ December Holidays” we think “family”, “turkey”, “chocolates”, “eggnog” and “naps”. Then, on the morning of that dreaded first-day-back, we are all surprised to find out that these indulgent Holiday rituals made us struggle to fit into the cute trousers… AGAIN. Because it happens every year. The amazing waistline we want to show off on the New Year’s Eve party is almost all gone and we worked so hard for it! The New Year’s resolution has never lasted more than a month for me, so I kick off with mine in December.
Weight loss in Brooksville has never been easier, even during December Holidays. With so many plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free, etc, Holiday recipes floating around (and they are easy to make pieces of art!), exciting family activities and games and the Hernando Beach Dietitian at the reach of your fingertips, you have no excuse to let your waistline go this year. So, below I have compiled a list of 5 things that helped me get healthier and consequently lose a few unnecessary pounds over Holidays.
1. Plant-based gingerbread cookies
I know what you’re thinking. I am not the Grinch. There are so many mouthwatering, healthy alternatives out there to the traditional high fat and high sugar gingerbread cookies. These recipes usually replace high cholesterol eggs, regular flour and white sugar with more wholesome ingredients, which are richer in nutrients WITHOUT killing the flavor. And wholesome ingredients keep you filled for longer!
2. Plan family activities in advance
This was my favourite alteration. I am undoubtedly lazy, but doing the same thing with the same people in the same place is exhausting.
Spice up your free Holiday afternoon with a road-trip to that enchanting village nearby, or a day out at the skating rink (you can wear those new socks). If it’s too cosy at home, you can keep active with games like sheredes, pie face, or other all-time favourites to show your cousin who’s the boss. You can ease into it with your advent calendar – simply replace the chocolates with healthy snacks, festive crafts or family activities.
3. Make food from scratch
Comes without saying, making your own food lets you control what is in it. So many products we buy every day have a lengthy paragraph for they’re ingredients’ lists out of which majority are words we can’t pronounce. Or contain such high proportions of salt, sugar and/or fat that with one portion we reach our RDA. These things are there to unnaturally increase your cravings. Take this cooking time to bond with your partner, have a heart-to-heart with a parent, joke around with siblings or teach your children about food and cooking.
4. Keep the meat lean
With Holiday Season comes the magnificent roast. And the secret family recipe makes it even more glorious! But remember, meat naturally comes with fat. So there is no need to make an oily glaze, to roast the turkey in a tray of oil or make an oily dressing. Reduce the amount of oil you add to your meat – let the meat sweat the grease out first and use that flavorsome oil to make a delicious homemade gravy. Also, look for high quality lean cuts of meat at the butcher’s to avoid the fat completely.
5. Control your portions
You deserve to immerse yourself in the indulgence of the incredible food that you prepared. But instead of refraining yourself from certain foods, then hopelessly cracking and eating half of the cake, eat smaller portions of everything. This way you will be happy, you will only eat until you’re full and your appetite will remain as it is.
These few minor alterations will make your cherished family time so much more varied, active and bonding – and definitely more exciting that alternating stuffing yourself with food and napping on the couch with Elf playing in the background. Holiday Season is an amazing period, so there is no point feeling down from jeopardising your weight loss achievements, especially when sticking to your goals can be so easy.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, Holiday Season is the time of joy and love, so plan the activities, games and food in advance, so that your loved ones and you will enjoy them and look forward to them. It’s normal to be stuck for ideas at this busy time of the year, but weight loss in Brooksville is a piece of FRUITcake – just get in touch with the amazing Hernando Beach Dietitian for advice and some ideas.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.