Yes, I know: Not everyone celebrates the Christian holiday of Christmas. However, between office parties and Christmas dinners, between Hanukkah and New Years Eve, both western and Chinese, chances are your next few months will be filled with food, and very tasty food no doubt. It is going to be available in mountainous mounds of mouth-watering delight, just like the giant heaps of gifts grabbed by the Grinch from the citizens of Whoville.
Do you remember the story? The Grinch’s heart grew three times bigger that day. You don’t want that to happen to you, right? No, I’m not talking about your heart. It was the Grinch’s heart. But for you, though, it might be (cue scary music) your tummy that grows three sizes that day! Eek!
Here are five easy-to-remember tips to help you keep from sliding down that huge mountain on an out-of-control sled of goodies, five ways to keep your waistline from growing three sizes in one month. Yes, here are the Anti-Grinch Christmas tips, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas!
Tip #1
Find out what’s going to be on the menu ahead of time and choose accordingly. You might think a donut with all that sugary coating will be more calories than a muffin, but a huge, stuffed-full-of-nuts-and-berries muffin might actually cost your tummy more in spare inches.
Tip #2
Check the calories. This goes hand-in-hand with Tip #1. Use your phone’s data connection and bookmark a trustworthy calorie site. When the goodies come out, check how many calories are in each of the items you want.
Tip #3
Only eat half of your normal serving. You are still getting to enjoy the goodie, and a half portion is still enough to make your taste buds dance with glee. You end up cutting calories in half each time you munch some holiday cheer.
Tip #4
For goodness sake, don’t cheat yourself! You don’t always have to pick the lowest calorie item being served. In fact, even if you give in every time and get the most sugar-laden delicacy, you can still follow Tip #3 and cut all your calories in half during the holidays!
Tip #5
Always remember that even if you think you have completely blown it, you haven’t. If you eat two donuts instead of half of one donut, the only bad effect is a sugar rush and a few sprinkles in your teeth. You haven’t messed up any kind of diet. You haven’t cheated. Remember, each goodie foray is a separate event!
Using these tips should help keep you cheerful and keep your waistline smaller than the Grinch’s big heart for the entire holiday season!