Holiday Dieting Tips - How to Have Fun and Stay Healthy

The holidays are a special time for all, and you should take the time to indulge yourself. However, at the same time you should keep your health in mind because it's easy to be tempted into going overboard.

It all starts with Halloween and all the extra treats that are lingering in your candy bowl. Then we're lead into Thanksgiving, where the average person will ingest over 3 times the number of calories that they should be eating, or even more.

Follow these tips to help you stay in control of your fork:

#1 Go in with a Plan

Before you put yourself into temptation, tell yourself how much you're allowed to eat. In the weeks following Halloween, save yourself 10 pieces of candy to eat. Give the rest away to coworkers and neighbors. For Thanksgiving and other family holidays, allow yourself to indulge on one item such as the appetizers or the dessert - not both.

#2 Don't Be Too Strict.

While you may be tempted to be tough on yourself during other times of the year, the holidays are a time you should allow for some relaxation from the strict behavior. Don't try to get through entire evenings without enjoying any of the food. The starvation diet only works for so long until you fail and over-consume. Work on your moderation skills instead.

#3 Don't Punish Yourself.

Everyone makes mistakes. If you do slip up and overeat one day, in the long run it won't make much of a difference. Just tell yourself that you'll try harder next time. Don't be tempted to just give up and continue the poor eating decisions. It's when you have many bad days in a row that you can ruin a good diet plan.

#4 Watch the Alcohol Intake.

It's true; alcohol usually flows freely at holiday events. You can indulge yourself here as well. While you may be able to get away with having a few drinks spread out over the evening, remember that the calories add up. Consider alternating between alcoholic drinks and pure, refreshing water.

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Just remember to have a good time! If you're bummed about not getting to eat everything that you want, concentrate on all the other aspects of the holidays. There are many other fun activities to engage in that don't involve eating!