10 Motivational Health Tips to Help You Maintain Your Weight During the Holiday Season
1. Eat in moderation.
Don’t overeat during the holiday season. Eat only what you need to eat, and don’t eat just because the food is there. Eating a small meal at home before going to a holiday party can also help. Eating in moderation can require extra discipline during the holiday season, because there is so much food available, but it can be tamed.
2. Park further away for shopping.
When you go out for Christmas shopping, get in the habit of parking farther from the door. I know you may live in an area where it’s cold outside, but this is an almost effortless way to help you maintain your weight during the holiday season. If you’re one of those big shoppers, all those longer walks to the front door of the department store might be worth it. I also enjoy having a great parking space during the holiday season. But I enjoy maintaining my weight more!
3. Think about it.
Practice thinking about how great you’ll feel after the holiday season is over and you’ve maintained your weight. Think about how you’ll feel after the holiday season is over if you’ve gained those extra pounds you don’t want. This in itself can be a great motivator!
4. Write yourself a note.
Write yourself a note before the big holiday meal or big family gathering. Tell yourself what your plans are to maintain your weight, then read it again at lunch and then afterward. Put the note somewhere where you can read it quickly and privately (a sticky note on a dollar bill in your wallet will work).
5. Buy yourself a new outfit at the start of the holiday season.
Buy yourself a new dress or a new outfit in your current size, remove the tags, and throw away the receipt. If you can afford it, buy an expensive dress or outfit. This should help you work harder to maintain your weight, especially when you’ve thrown away the receipt and ripped off the labels! After all, who likes to spend money? An extra motivator to fit your new dress or pair of pants is to plan to wear your new threads somewhere special on New Year’s Eve.
6. Reward yourself.
Write a list of things you will reward yourself with for maintaining your weight. Make your reward date the day after the holiday season is officially over for you. Your rewards can be small, for example, a magazine, a manicure, a trip to the beauty salon, etc.
7. Keep track of your eating and exercise.
Keep a vacation journal and track your healthy and unhealthy holiday habits. Set healthy habit goals and stick to them! Do your best not to stray off track, but if you do, remember that every day is a new beginning.
8. Positive Talk and Positive Walk.
Tell yourself every day, several times a day, “I maintain my current weight with minimal effort.” I look good at ______ pounds.” “I’m amazed at how I maintained my current weight this holiday season.” And walk away with the confidence of knowing you’re looking fabulous at your current weight (no matter what it is)!
9. Be accountable to someone.
Share with a friend or family member how important it is for you to maintain your weight during the holiday season. Start a HAT (Holiday Responsibility Team), which can be your spouse, children, or anyone else who helps keep you on track. Keep in frequent contact with them during the holiday season and develop a tool or a list of questions that you will discuss related to maintaining your weight (it doesn’t have to be in depth), during the holiday season.
10. BE EMPOWERED!
If you think you can do it, then you can! The holiday season is a difficult time for those of us who are seriously working to maintain our weight. It is important for us to be empowered from within to maintain our weight this holiday season, and believing that we CAN DO IT is vital!