If you’re dying to lose weight or simply keep the pounds off, here are some helpful tips!
- Make every bite count. Before you even begin to eat, take in everything that is on offer and zone in on what you really want to eat. Â Remember, Â portions size is key.
- And don’t just pick what looks healthy — too much denial will simply lead to binges later on. And I am speaking from personal experience here, unfortunately.
- Fill your plate with fruit and veg. It’s always a good idea to start by filling your plate with fruit and/or vegetables, leaving less room for higher calorie choices.
- Pick the smallest plate possible. Opting for the smallest plate available means you’re unlikely to keep refilling it — and that can be a pain anyway.
- Slow down. Put your fork down between bites if you can. Eating slowly gives your gut time to tell your brain, “You know what, I am kinda full now!†It takes 20 minutes from when you eat to when your brain gets the message that you’ve had enough. So, wait 20 minutes and you may find you can do without anything else.
- Move away from that table – there’s nothing more to eat there. Once you’ve filled your hands and pockets, or hopefully your small plate, move away from the food. I’m sure most of us have at some point mindlessly fed ourselves with whatever tasty treat was within easy reach. Best to avoid that temptation.
- Don’t be afraid to say no. If it’s not something you have your eye on, Â it’s all right to just say no. Stuffing yourself to please others is not what eating should be about.
- Watch those emotions. Many of us use food to comfort ourselves, which can actually be more stressful  in the long run.  Take care of yourself, be aware of why you are eating. Self-awareness can help you walk away from a table weighed down with food and drink.
- Go easy on the alcohol. Enjoying a drink with friends and family can be a real pleasure. But those drinks add up — try to pace yourself: have a glass of water between beverages, and stick with lighter beers, wine, or champagne spritzers for fewer calories. Try to resist those creamy cocktails, or cocktails in general, Â to limit your sugar.
- Don’t go out starving. It’s all right to go to a party feeling a little hungry; however, try not to starve yourself before a meal. This not only leads to over-consumption but also decreases your metabolism, undoing all your sacrifice.
- Pay it forward. Instead, if you want to compensate (or punish yourself) for going to a party, do it the next day, when you are full.
- Leave the stretchy pants in the drawer. Wearing loose clothing to disguise the bloating is really just giving yourself permission to eat to excess. You don’t have to wear skintight spandex but wear clothing that is somewhat body-conscious — it might help you think twice before going for thirds or fourths.
- Hydrate already. One of the easiest ways to stop yourself from overindulging is to drink some good old fashioned water — as well as helping flush out toxins, it can help you feel somewhat full.
- It’s not all partying. Between the dinners and parties, try and eat a little healthier — with plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
- Keep up the exercise. It’s important that you don’t give up the exercise altogether. As well as assisting  with your weight, exercise helps control blood pressure and alleviate stress.
- However, be realistic. You’re unlikely to lose too many pounds right away so give it some time. Work on maintaining your weight. That way, you should have an easier time hitting your goals.
- Finally, be social about your plans. Simply telling someone what you’re planning — avoiding weight gain, in case any of us have forgotten — makes it a lot more likely that you’ll stick to the plan. So tweet, Facebook, blog away, and all that good stuff.
Above all, however, remember that it’s up to you whether or not you overindulge.
My advice is to take your time to enjoy the food you’re eating without going overboard!
Related articles
No comments yet.