How to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays

The holidays are once again upon us. During this festive time of year, you are likely busy attending holiday parties and office get-togethers. With all the tasty treats and delectable drinks available at these seasonal soirees — and even in the office break room — it is easy to gain weight unwittingly. Here, Dr. Carlos Chacon of Divino Plastic Surgery shares some pointers to help you avoid gaining weight this holiday season.

Eat First Thing in the Morning

With the countless activities scheduled during the holidays — kids’ Christmas pageants, office potlucks, neighborhood dinners, family parties, gift exchanges — it’s easy to run out of the house each morning without eating breakfast first. But it’s important to make eating a well-balanced breakfast a priority during this busy time of year. Eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism, so you burn more calories throughout the day. It also gives you the energy needed to tackle all your daily tasks and stay focused so you make smart food choices. By eating a healthy, satisfying breakfast, you will be less likely to snack on empty calories in the afternoon or evening.

Eat More Frequently

Another tip is to try eating smaller, healthy meals more frequently throughout the day. If you only eat two giant meals each day, try eating four smaller meals. Just make sure they are well-portioned and nutritious. Eating smaller, nutritious meals throughout the day will help regulate your blood sugar levels, preventing them from dropping so you low that you feel the need to binge on the first food item you see.

Snack Smart

It may seem counterintuitive, but try eating a small, smart snack before heading to a party where there will be cheesy appetizers and highly caloric drinks and desserts. By eating a handful of almonds or a half an apple with natural almond butter on top before you leave the house, you will make more sensible food choices when you get to the party.

Don’t Crash Diet

It’s never a great idea to go on a crash or fad diet. Although you might lose weight initially, it is likely that you are losing muscle weight instead of targeted fat loss. Also, you are more likely to gain weight once you resume your normal eating habits. It is understandable to want to look your best during the holidays, but the best way to do that is to practice portion control, cut out processed foods and refined sugar and engage in both cardiovascular and weight-training exercises.

Bothered by Pesky Problem Areas?

If you eat healthy and already follow the tips above, but are still bothered by pesky “problem areas” that are riddled with excess fat that is resistant to your healthy lifestyle efforts, contact Dr. Chacon for help. He offers a range of body contouring plastic surgery procedures, including liposuction, which can give you the svelte profile you desire.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Chacon, contact Divino Plastic Surgery by calling (858) 633-7546 today.