How to Keep Your Weight Loss on Track During the Holiday Season

Holidays are a time that can make it challenging to stay on track with your weight-loss goals. From the decadent food and large portions to the change in schedule, holidays can cause many people to pack on a few pounds. 

You have a better chance of navigating the holidays while maintaining your weight-loss goals when you have a plan ahead of time. Our Nova Physician Wellness Center team is here to provide support every step of the way. 

Through services like weight-loss counseling, nutritional counseling, and customized exercise plans, our team helps patients lose weight and keep it off for good. As the holidays draw near, check out our top tips on how you can stay on track this holiday season. 

Continue self monitoring

Self-monitoring is a crucial part of any successful weight-loss program, and that shouldn’t end when holiday cheer begins. When you keep track of your eating and exercise, you’re more likely to make better decisions during the holidays.

Thanks to technology, self-monitoring is easier and more convenient than ever. There are numerous smartphone apps that allow you to log and track what you're eating, how much of it you're eating, your activity, and your weight. 

Smart scales that use bluetooth to automatically log and track your weight are also available, as are other fitness tech gadgets that track your activity. However, if using technology is not your thing, you can always use a notebook.

Make time to move

No matter how hectic the holidays get, it’s crucial to prioritize exercise. Eating more and moving less is the major reason people get off track during the holidays. Skipping workouts throughout the holiday season can sabotage your weight loss. 

If you don’t have an exercise program yet, our team can help. Our customized exercise plans are designed with your needs and goals in mind. 

Sticking to your exercise regimen during the holiday season can help you continue marching toward your weight-loss goals. Factor in your holiday schedule and festivities beforehand and organize your schedule around that, making sure to carve out time to exercise. 

Don’t arrive hungry to a holiday gathering

Holiday weight gain is real, and keeping your appetite in check is part of combating it. Plan ahead for holiday parties and festive meals to stay on track. While it’s customary to “bring your appetite” to a holiday gathering, arriving hungry can derail your weight loss. You’re more likely to overeat when you’re hungry, and you’re less likely to make healthier food choices.

Eating a light, protein-packed snack before a holiday event, like apple slices with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with a handful of nuts, will tame your appetite. This way, when you dig into festive meals, you’ll feel satisfied sooner. 

Make wise holiday food choices

We don’t expect you to eat perfectly during the holidays, but by making wise meal choices, you can enjoy holiday festivities without depriving yourself. Deciding what to splurge on and where to make healthier choices can make all the difference.

Holidays are often a free-for-all of indulgence, and that’s what you want to avoid. If you know you want to splurge on Grandma’s German chocolate cake, you can then plan on building the rest of your holiday meals around lean proteins like turkey breast and vegetables. This way, don’t feel deprived, and you stay on track with your weight loss. 

Despite a season filled with calorie-rich meals and sugary treats, you can stay on track with your weight loss during the holidays — and our Nova Physician Wellness Center team can help. Our providers can discuss our proven plans to help you achieve and maintain your weight-loss goals. 

To learn more about how our team can help you shed pounds and keep them off, give us a call to schedule an in-person or telehealth consultation with one of our providers. Our offices are located in Fairfax, Ashburn, and Vienna, Virginia. Start your journey today.