Filed under: Holidays on the Road, Holidays on the Road, Menu Planning & Cooking

Lose Now, Eat Later!

November 7, 2012 by Cynthia Baum · Leave a Comment

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Do your clothes fit too snugly lately? Does it feel like you put on 5 pounds by the end of each and every year? If so, it is time to start losing some of those extra pounds before this year’s “Holiday Eating” even begins.

Pondering my schedule for the holidays this year, I couldn’t help but think of all the eating I am inevitably going to be doing. Because I, like so many Americans, LOVE to eat! Given the opportunity and availability of delicious food being set out before me (think holiday parties), I tend to overeat. So by the time I am ringing in the New Year, I am a good 5-10 pounds heavier than I was when wearing my Halloween costume.

If you, like me, are not looking forward to the inevitable holiday weight gain, join me in my new found personal weight-loss challenge. My goal this year is to do what I can to curb my appetite and exercise in the few weeks I have left before Thanksgiving. Since we all know, there is no dieting during Thanksgiving dinner. The way I see it, why not try to lose a bit beforehand, so you can truly enjoy eating too much at Thanksgiving dinner? So RV’ers, listen up: It is time to eat healthy, work out, and hopefully lose some weight before the holiday eating begins. If you can stick to just three small meals a day and truly limit the snacks, it is quite possible and even probable that you will slim down in just a few weeks.

Healthy eating choices may seem obvious, but just for review: You should try to include more fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, instead of processed foods, such as potato chips and dip. Here are a few pointers that have helped me with keeping my weight under control in the past.

Eat out less (if at all)
Drink more water (aim for eight glasses per day)
Limit caffeine consumption
Work out at least 3 times per week for at least 20 minutes per day (if not more!)
Hang out with people who make healthier eating choices
Find a buddy to work out with (accountability helps too!)
Limit alcohol consumption
Snack on healthy foods
Keep portions small
Try to not eat in front of a screen (whether it is a TV or computer), you’ll likely eat too much!

And whatever you do: Don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach! I have made this mistake far too many times in the past and have lived to regret it every single time. I always end up coming home with way too much food and most of it tends to be junk food.

Here’s to a healthier you by the end of November; and if it works out for you, maybe do it all over again for Christmas! You won’t regret it and at the very least you will feel better, if not look a lot better by the time you are donning your Christmas Party attire.