Thanksgiving really kicks off the Holidays and a tough time for weight loss...Don't give up!! Every pound you pack on will be hard to get back off. The beginning of my journey was easy my head was on straight and I was focused...then the holidays came!! I had to wrap all these parties around my head and figure out how to handle them...Just to let you know you can do it! I lost .2 pounds (yes that was a mere .2) per week from the week prior to Thanksgiving until the week after the New Year. Okay think about that, over the toughest time of the year for weight control, I busted through it with a pound and a half weight LOSS!
I started researching Holiday weight gain and the news isn’t good. Most people don’t ever lose the pound of weight they put on during the holidays, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine. Since the average weight gain during adulthood is about one to two pounds a year, that means much of midlife weight gain can be explained by holiday eating.
For people who are already overweight, the holiday weight news is worse. Although the average gain is only one pound, people who are already overweight tend to gain a lot more. One study found that overweight people gained five pounds or more during the holidays.
But, do not despair. You do not have to be another statistic. You can have your CAKE and eat it too…Here are some tips to surviving Thanksgiving. The good news is the main thing people cook is the ever loved Turkey!! A very healthy and lean protein. Love your stuffing? Only 2 points/3 points plus per 1/2 cup. When making mashed potatoes use I can't believe it's not butter and skim milk or fat free cream. This will lighten up those potatoes! When making dips use fat free cream cheese or fat free sour cream. Any recipe you add cheese, always use 2% cheese or fat free, think of it as drinking whole milk or 2% milk, the only thing your leaving behind isn't flavor its just the fat. Another huge saver is Mayo use fat free and save 3 points.
Desserts can be a problem for many...you have heard me before I don't have a sweet tooth! But, there is an option for you here too!! Check out the desert recipes. The HUGE family favorite is Pumpkin Whip! I can't say enough about this one, it truly taste like pumpkin pie. Just to tell you how big this saver is ...Pumpkin Pie has 9 points/11 points plus. Pecan Pie has 14 points/16 points plus.
Some say "hey it's only one day a year" sure but the average American will consume more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day alone, according to the Caloric Control Council. Surprisingly, most of these calories come from the all-day snacking in front of the TV while watching parades and sporting events.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Now that you’re armed and ready, you can look forward to your time with friends, family, and food, without losing your diet momentum. Also, go for a walk after dinner!!