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The holidays are full of food, and it can feel like you have to pile your plate high to help your host (or yourself) with leftovers! However holidays can go on for days, and before you know it, you’ve gained some holiday weight.

If you have put on a bit of weight after the holidays, that’s okay! Here are some holiday weight loss tips to act as your guide for how to lose holiday weight gain.

Move more.

Now is the time to move a bit more, and take advantage of the chilly weather wherever you are. A brisk walk during your break allows you to feel refreshed. If you’re in an area with snow, make a snowman with your kids or spend some time shoveling your driveway.

You can also make small changes in your movement opportunities, like parking farther away from the grocery store or taking the stairs instead of the escalator. When you find small opportunities throughout the day to move, you are moving one step closer to holiday weight loss.

Don’t skip meals.

You may think that the extra calories you ate during the holidays can be diminished by skipping a meal, but that sets you up for failure. Since you’re denying your body food, you’ll lose energy and potentially binge on treats or make rash decisions about your next meal.
 

Cook at home.

Oftentimes, the meals we get at restaurants are much larger portions, and are often cooked in fattier preparations. Take vegetable side dishes, which are typically sautéed in butter. When you cook at home, you control everything—from the ingredients to the oil to the cooking method, it’s all in your hands to make the healthiest choices possible.
 

Control your portions.

Portion control may have gone out the window when the holidays were around, but it needs to come back into play to reverse holiday weight gain. One way to retrain yourself in regards to portions is to use a smaller plate so that you can focus on portioning out your meal.
 

Be picky about what’s on your plate.

You don’t have to eat every side with every meal. Fill your plate with protein and vegetables first to ensure you’re filling up on nutrient-dense options that will help you stay fuller longer, then go for the sides that are more calorie-dense, like dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc.
 

Have snacks on hand.

You may have gotten used to that stuffed feeling, but now that you’re focusing on healthier options and portion control, you may get hungry sooner. This is why it’s a great idea to have snacks on hand to encourage positive decision-making versus going to the vending machine or being lured by the leftover candy in the break room. Keep some veggie sticks on hand to pair with Classic Hummus & Wheat Crackers, and look for pre-portioned snack bags like our Ranch Snaps and Cheddar Cheese Crisps that allow you to satisfy your snack craving without going overboard.
 

Holiday weight loss is possible, especially when you have a strong sense of motivation. And if you’re looking for support and other pieces of advice for weight loss, look no further than Jenny Craig—our Perfect Portion blog considers everything from inspiration to strategies to help you find success, and you can join your local neighborhood Jenny Craig center to talk with a Jenny Craig consultant and create personalized strategies for weight loss throughout the year! 

[SOURCES]

http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/lifestyle/holidays/enjoy-the-holiday-without-the-weight-gain

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20974489,00.html#lose-1-pound-this-week-0