Even though your GLP-1 might be helping to curb your appetite, the holiday eating season is about to kick into full swing. Set yourself up for continued weight management success now and carry that momentum into the New Year.

 

The holiday eating season has begun. Thanksgiving is on the horizon — and Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve are all hot on its tail. In fact, most people gain weight in the 10 days after Christmas. But you don’t have to be most people!

 

The holidays come in quick succession during this time of year. We know the drill: Everyone has a special recipe they want share (nine times out of 10, it’s a dessert!). But we know from experience that depriving ourselves of something we want often backfires — and we end up eating more of something we probably don’t even really want. And despite taking GLP-1, chances are you will face a barrage of tasty food temptations. It’s a battle we don’t always win.

 

This is why it’s important to implement behavior/lifestyle, nutrition and exercise changes into your long-term GLP-1 weight maintenance plan. There may come a day when you stop taking the medication, so making adjustments now will pay off in dividends later. The trick is to have a plan. This way, you can enjoy being in the company of others and their once-a-year treats without feeling guilty or worrying about a slip backwards. So, what can you do?

 

RELATED RESOURCES: DOWNLOAD THE BIOCARE PROTEIN MEAL PLAN AND BEHAVIOR PROGRAM WORKSHEETS

Check the Calendar and Plan Healthy Food Options

Take a look at your calendar now to see what you have coming up. Will you be attending a neighborhood gathering or an office party? Do you need to make three dozen cupcakes for a school function? Whatever you might have on your holiday calendar, it will be helpful put a reminder on your calendar several days before the event to make sure that when you go food shopping, you choose healthy options to balance your diet on the days you will be at a social event.

 

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Turn Down the Food Noise, and Be Proactive: Holiday Eating Tips

• Plan your meals more carefully on the days when you have an event. Eat healthy, lower-fat meals for breakfast and lunch if you’re going out to dinner.

 

• If you want a treat, don’t deprive yourself — but don’t go overboard either. Choose something special that you will enjoy and take a moment to really appreciate it in an intentional way. Biocare’s high protein snacks are a great grab and go option!

 

• If you know you will be going out of Saturday night, plan a walk for Saturday (and maybe Sunday!) afternoon.

 

• Drink more water before going out, and alternate alcoholic beverages with water when you get to where you are going. This will help to suppress your appetite and counter the effects of the booze.

 

• Find a friend you haven’t seen in a while (or make a new friend!) and take advantage of the time to catch up. Stand away from the food so that you don’t mindlessly graze without thinking or enjoying it.

 

RELATED BLOG: HOW TO STOP FOOD NOISE

Practice Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is characterized by bringing your full attention and awareness to the food you are eating as well as how your body feels as you eat (are you hungry or full?). It’s process where you pay attention to each bite of food. For example, before you put each bit in your mouth, look at it and take note of its shape, scent, and size. As you chew, you bring your conscious awareness to the texture, mouth feel, and taste before you swallow.

RELATED BLOG: INTEGRATING MINDFUL EATING INTO YOUR GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

Enjoy Holiday Treats in Moderation

The holidays should be a joyful time when families and friends get together to share time and create memories. Food can be a special part of many people’s traditions, and enjoying different treats in moderation is part of that. This may not be the time of year when you are able to remain 100% on track with your weight management goals. But with some planning and a little more focus on what you’re eating, you can enjoy the holiday feasts and set a set a goal to prevent weight gain. That is both reasonable and achievable.