With the holiday season coming up, with all the travel plans and festivities, its highly impossible to get on a health routine through regular exercise and a tough nutrition plan. However, we definitely do not want all our weight loss efforts to go in vain just because of a week long party, celebration or travel. So what can we do to maintain our weight while we are still enjoying our life?

Here are 7 strategies that one can keep in mind during such short deviations from the regular weigh loss routine to avoid holiday weight gain.

1. Consume nutrients, not calories

This topmost rule is something that one should follow forever. During holidays, even more!!! Watch out for those foods that are simply loaded calories such as chips, fried snacks, aerated drinks, biscuits, processed foods, sugary foods, candies, jams and jellies, sauces etc. Remember, anything that goes into our body, should only add value to our body. Hence choose nutrients, not calories.

2. Move around, a lot and lot

When we aim to reduce calorie intake, it also makes real sense to think of how we can burn more calories. Since exercise routine is on pause, its very important that we find ways to stay physically active. Dance a lot, climb those hillocks, trek through hills, walk a lot, run as much as you can. Just move and move!!!

3. Snack sensibly

Snacking can help us cut down huge meal portions. Its very important that you pack and carry sensible snacking options such as fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables with dips, sprouts, roasted pulses etc. These can keep you sufficiently fueled to feel nourished.

4. Prioritize protein

Always try to include more protein in your meals. Include paneer, mushrooms, eggs, curd, chicken, fish, pulses such as channa, rajmah, green peas, labia, dals, milk etc. Make these your major options and limit the intake of cereals. Protein can keep the stomach full for relatively longer period and keep the metabolism on check.

5. Do not forget Fiber

Its always possible that our digestion gets affected when we are on such breaks. A good way to keep the digestive system on track is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These will keep one nourished well with comparatively fewer calories and simultaneously fill up ensuring you are less hungry through the day thereby helping one to avoid holiday weight gain.

6. Hydrate well

Water is another important nutrient which is usually forgotten during such breaks. These are the situations where we actually need more water, to flush out toxins and keep our system clean. Hence, remember to carry your favorite sipper wherever you go, and drink as much water as you can to stay hydrated.

7. Go limited on alcohol

Alcohol is a part of most celebrations. Its absolutely fine to add some zing while you are cautious about the limit of intake. Always opt to drink in moderation and do not top it up with any aerated drinks as this may only shoot up the calories. Also, be mindful of the snacks that go along. Prefer to eat nuts, salads, paneer or some grilled chicken over any other processed junk options.

Finally, b your own master. Fix your mind and tell yourself much before your holiday plan that you will control what your body needs. Its definitely possible to stay healthy and still enjoy a vacation. Tune your mind to say that its your “lifestyle choice”, which does not get hampered by any such breaks.

Keep these strategies on top of your mind through any such “break situations” and I am sure one can easily avoid the holiday weight gain.

In fact, by following these strategies, you may just lose more weight…

Happy Healthy Holidays!!!