Holiday Fat Loss Hacks

The holidays are traditionally a time when everyone packs on a few pounds, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Rather than joining the masses and loosening your belt another notch, use these 5 Holiday Fat Loss Hacks for Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas season to avoid putting on a single pound. These hacks could even result in a few pounds lost before New Year’s.

Holiday Fat Loss Hack #1: Eat a sensible meal before the party.
Arrive on Thanksgiving or holiday party with a full stomach, or at a minimum, not in starvation mode. Having a light snack or late lunch will curb your appetite and help you eat a reasonable dinner without going off the deep end. Fasting before the party, or saving your calories for one big meal will backfire on you. Eating once a day messes with your metabolism, and is not a healthy way to stay on track.

Holiday Fat Loss Hack #2: Bring a healthy dish to share.
Even if the party isn’t a potluck—the hostess will love you for being so thoughtful, and you’ll have a healthy option to enjoy. Bring a roasted veggie salad, a hummus platter, or an arrangement of fresh fruit, which are all delicious choices. Healthy dishes that are filled with fiber would be a welcome addition to any holiday menu. For example, this White Bean Hummus is tasty and healthy as well as a crowd pleaser.

Holiday Fat Loss Hack #3: Never drink calories.
Calories add up quickly when you’re sipping them from a glass. Alcoholic beverages and sweet holiday drinks are simply packed with calories. Further, these beverage calories don’t take up much room in your stomach, so you’re left wide open for even more calories. Your best strategy is to avoid these beverages altogether, and stick with water. Aim to drink 2-3 glasses of water at the party. If you must indulge, stick to one drink and consume it with a meal.

Holiday Fat Loss Hack #4: Fill your plate, but only once.
I’m certainly not going to tell you that you shouldn’t eat anything at the party! By all means, go and fill up your plate. But only once. That’s right. No going back for seconds. Since you’ve already eaten a sensible meal before arriving, this rule is going to be easier to keep than you think. Eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

Holiday Fat Loss Hack #5: Taste dessert, just a taste.
The holidays are all about sweet treats, so go ahead and partake. But just a taste. Look at desserts as something to savor, not something to fill up on. Since you ate a sensible meal before you came, then you filled up your dinner plate once you’re probably going to be full at this point anyway. So, pick a favorite, and take a small taste. Sharing a dessert is a good option to go along with this strategy.