5 Ways to NOT Gain Weight During the Holidays

Whether you work out at home or hit up the gym, exercise is an excellent way to not only warm up on those chilly winter nights, but it’ll also help you survive the holidays without gaining weight! Go with full-body exercises that get you moving, like Tabata, aerobics, or high-intensity interval training, and you’ll reap the health benefits while shedding pounds! You can get started within the convenience of your own home with these top 20 aerobics for weight loss.

Most likely, you have friends and/or family who are also watching their weight during the holidays. Find that person and become each other’s accountability partner, and if you can, exercise together. You’ll be more likely to stick to your goals when you have someone supporting you and holding you accountable.

An added bonus of exercise is that it helps reduce stress levels. Let go of all that time you spent decorating the house, entertaining guests, and shopping for gifts, and enjoy a little “me-time.” When you’re done, you’ll feel refreshed and freed from the “holi-daze.”

Let’s be honest; the busy holiday season makes it difficult to find time to do anything outside of planned festivities. Between holiday parties, hosting family from out of town, and getting the house ready for both, you’re completely booked up. If you find yourself in this situation and don’t have time to go to the gym or get in a workout at home, now’s the time to get creative!

If you’ve got plans to go out for brunch with friends and family, why not change things up and, if it’s not too cold, go for an outdoor adventure at your local nature trail instead? You could pack healthy, macro-balanced snacks or even have a picnic. You’ll have the opportunity to bond while enjoying each other’s company hiking the great outdoors, and getting a good workout in. On top of that, you’ll be free from the many holiday temptations that restaurants boast this time of year.

This is just one of many other activities that get you up and moving. Depending on where you are, you could go ice skating, skiing, bicycling, or power walking in the mall while gift shopping. And remember, just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to stick to standard entertainment. Use this opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones doing something fun, memorable, and healthy for everyone!

We all want a little merrymaking and cheer during the holidays, and with all the holiday parties and gatherings with friends and family, we’re naturally going to want to partake. And partake you should! Being so strict with your diet that you’re torturing yourself is not a healthy approach. You’re more likely to burn yourself out when you push yourself so hard to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. The last thing you want is to be a Grinch. Just remember that moderation is key. A couple of drinks and indulgences won’t ruin your progress. It’s when you go in without a plan that things get messy.

Before any holiday parties or gatherings begin, do yourself a favor and create a battle plan. Maybe you’ll only allow yourself two of your favorite cookies or only one glass of wine. Whatever you decide to do, having a game plan before you arrive will give you the confidence to enjoy yourself and prevent any unwanted overindulgence. We’ve got 6 simple eating hacks and a holiday drink guide handy for you; both are especially useful when it comes to being prepared for holiday festivities while watching your weight!

And when the party’s finally over, it’s time to get back to your workout routine. If you, by chance, got a little too frosty with the festive cocktails and aren’t feeling jolly the next morning, you’ll want to forego your usual exercise drills. Our article, Alcohol and Exercise Over the Holidays, lays out how to be proactive and stay on track with your weight loss goals but still enjoy some merry spirits (there’re also some tips on what to do if you’ve enjoyed one too many 😉).

Being health conscientious doesn’t mean you have to dampen the holidays with boring dishes. A popular misconception is that if it’s healthy, it’s not going to taste good. Have you tried our Fudgy Black Bean Brownie recipe? We dare you. These brownies will change your mind so fast that you’ll be serving them at your next holiday party and wowing your guests with how delicious these healthy treats are!

There are lots of great holiday recipes out there that you can indulge in without having to worry about your figure. Be bold this holiday season and try something new! When searching for a new recipe, finding one that fits your style is key. Look for a recipe that’s relatively easy and has high reviews, and/or is from a reputable source. To help you get started, we’ve shared our Fit Farm-approved recipes that we serve here on the farm during our fitness and weight loss retreats. You’ll find everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, sweet treats, and seasonal recipes perfect for the holidays!