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It is the holiday season, and you should take the time to treat yourself. While you should enjoy your holidays, you must also keep your health in mind because it’s easy to get carried away. 

During holiday time, an average person will consume three times or even four times the amount of calories they should consume. Whenever the family gets together, there are usually many snacks, appetizers, and large meals. There are also sweet treats everywhere! Is it possible to eat everything? Certainly, but moderation is the key. 

Below are some tips to help you stay healthy while enjoying your holidays:

1. Plan ahead. Decide how much you can eat before you put yourself into temptation. You can eat 10 pieces of candy in the weeks following Halloween and give the remainder to your coworkers and neighbors. If you are eating for Thanksgiving and other family holidays, you can indulge in one food item such as appetizers or dessert – but not both.

2. Create a healthy diet plan. Take into account some healthier options to some of the popular recipes when planning holiday events. Having a healthy meal doesn’t always mean eating bland food. Be creative and experiment with new dishes. 

3. Take a softer approach. The holidays give you a great opportunity to allow for a little relaxation from the strict behavior that you may apply during other times of the year. Enjoy the food throughout the evening with your family member. When it comes to starvation diets, they only last for a limited amount of time before you burn out and overconsume. You should instead learn how to moderate your eating. 

4. Dress in clothing that fits tightly. Wear some tight-fitting clothes if you have trouble controlling your holiday behavior. Ideally, you may not feel stressed or uncomfortable, but you may want to feel a reminder if you begin to overeat.

5. Limit your consumption of alcohol. Holiday events do often feature plenty of alcohol. It is fine to indulge yourself during these events. Drinking a few beverages throughout the evening may seem like a good idea, but remember that calories add up. It is best to alternate between alcoholic drinks and refreshing water. 

6. Take a break from time to time. It’s easy to lose track of your eating habits during a long evening with family and friends. Take breaks when you don’t have a plate or a drink in your hand. Instead, focus on the conversation you’re having. 

7. Eat in advance. Before you go to a celebration at someone else’s house, make sure you eat something healthy. When you know there will be unhealthy treats available, being prepared is especially important. In the absence of hunger, you won’t feel the urge to eat so soon after arriving at the party.  

8. Avoid self-punishment. It is human nature to make mistakes. It won’t matter if you slip up and overeat one day in the long run. The key is to tell yourself that you will try harder next time. Be careful not to give up and continue to make poor eating decisions. You can ruin a good diet plan when you have a lot of bad days consecutively. 

Final Thought

Take advantage of this holiday season to have fun! Rather than being upset about not getting to eat everything you want, focus on all the other aspects of the holidays. Aside from eating, there are many other fun activities to enjoy!