The holidays are fast approaching us, which means lots and lots of food. I have worked so hard and lost 23 pounds, and I am afraid the holiday season might sabotage it. Can someone please give me some tips that have worked for you to keep from gaining weight this time of year?

    

Congrats on shedding 23 pounds!! Awesome.. Well here are a few tricks that work for me..
Drink water and not juices or alcohol.Or restrict alcohol to a glass.
Eat a healthy snack before heading out to dinner. It'll keep you full and not craving sugar or fat.
Choose salads without dressings like mayo and thousand island. Instead opt for healthier dressing options.
Smaller serving sizes and no, no repeats.
Most importantly, think of all the hard work that went into losing the 23 pounds.. Do you wanna do it again?:-)
Hope these help!

Just keep exercising and follow your meal plan at least 90% of the time and you'll be fine.

Some other tips:

1. Don't graze (eat haphazardly at parties).
2. Don't eat fried foods.
3. Watch the alcohol (it has 7 calories per gram).
4. Go light on the dips and sauces loaded with calories and fat.
5. Eat small servings of desserts.
6. Never skip your Monday and Friday workout or you might go 4 days without working out.
7. Eat a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit before going to a party. It will help you eat less at the party.
8. Skip the appetizers at parties---they are loaded with calories!

Remember you won't regain weight overnight just as you didn't lose the weight overnight!

Yeh well done on loosing the 23 pounds. I think you must just not go over board in the holiday season. I don't think its bad to treat yourself but don't blow all your hard works. Some tips:

1) Drink at least 2 litres of water a day
2) Have breakfast!!! - kicks your metabolism off in the morning.
3) Make sure you have two snacks a day - in between meals.
4) Have enough protein - helps to build lean muscle which keeps your body burning fat.
5) When you go out for a meal have it grilled or baked.

Also try and substitute one meal with a meal replacement shake to keep your calories low - visit the website: designerlife.tv (username: designerlife & password: success) Give me an email if you are interested: *jdshepp@gmail.com*

Enjoy the holidays

James
Personal Wellness Coach

Way to go with your weight loss! Oh the holiday food! I am no expert by all means, but I struggle with my weight and deal with this every year. One thing I have learned is not to deprive! If I tell myself I can not eat that pumpkin pie, I will not only be miserable but I will probably go overboard later on with it. If I fill up on healthy stuff and just have a little piece of pie, I am happy and don't gain weight during the holidays.

Yay! Glad to hear you lost 23 lbs!
I think it's okay to enjoy the holidays. Don't deprive yourself but don't overeat.

For Work:
I usually pack little snacks like nuts, or fruit. So if I'm out or at work (when I used to work but I don't anymore), I pull out my healthy snack and eat that instead of all the sweets that will be calling out your name. Or buy some little plastic tupperware containers and make yogurt parfaits and take them with you to work.
Tea also helps. I drink hot tea without sugar and it's yummy!
Or drink lots and lots of water

If you're going to a party, then you won't be able to pack your own snacks because that would seem really rude
Eat a light snack before you go to a party
If you're going to snack at the party, hit the nuts, and fruit platters instead of the salty chips and dips! Or offer to take a plate and take something like hummus and pita bread (whole wheat) or take a fruit salad (a healthy version).
Fill 3/4th of your plate with salad and fruit and 1/4 of your plate can be filled with some "unhealthy" food. So you get a lot of healthy and a little bit of unhealthy (that way you don't feel deprived.
Drink lots of water or drink tea without the sugar.
At home
Stock up on healthy foods like veggies, fruits, yogurt, etc. Fill little baggies with healthy snacks. When you feel like snacking, grab one of your baggies and snack on that.
Drink lots of water
Keep those foods that you absolutely LOVE and can't stay away from out of the house. Make it a rule! I am so serious about this one. I have a list of 5 forbidden foods (curly cheetos, zebra cakes, twix candy, those fudge cookies, and cake) and do not allow them in the house. You'll thank yourself later. It's easy to resist the forbidden five if they are not in the house!

Good Luck!