5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

The holidays are a blissful time of merrymaking, magical moments, beautiful family gatherings and joyful memories. However, it is also a time of sugary foods, high fat foods, inflammation causing foods, plenty of alcohol, and what feels like devious ways to take us off our Healthy Living Plans or current diets.

Luckily for you, it doesnt have to be that way! Having a few ground rules in place helps keep that holiday weight gain at bay. Wouldnt you like to fit in your clothes a month from now when New Years is here? Instead of feeling tired, lethargic, heavy, sick from inflammatory foods, and desperately needing a detox to get back on track and drop a pant size starting January 1st?

1. Say No To Peppermint Anything

As of November 1st stores are full of Peppermint Bark, Peppermint Candy Canes, Peppermint Sprinkles, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Peppermint EVERYTHING. Similar to the pumpkin everything we see in October and November. Make a rule with yourself: From Thanksgiving to Christmas I will have 3 cups of peppermint hot chocolate or 3 decadent desserts on 3 special Christmas activities or occasions. And thats it! The rest will never cross my lips.

2. Make a list of what REALLY matters to you over the holidays, you might be surprised

The holidays get bigger and better every year. Polar Bear Express train rides with treats for the kids, Zoo Lights with hot chocolate and carolers, tree lightings, special menus and of course ice skating rinks. Every year towns, cities, and businesses get better at creating those magical nostalgic Christmas or holiday experiences we crave. But the chaos of attending all those holidays that we see on social media creates a hectic FOMO (fear of missing out) environment. Instead, write a list of what you must do this holiday season for it to be fun for YOU. It might include: sipping gingerbread tea and driving through neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights, listening to holiday music while trimming the tree, attending the one annual holiday activity that your family loves.

Sigh, that feels relaxed and easy already, right?

3. Decide to drink a healthy shake or healthy meal BEFORE attending holiday parties

If you have holiday parties or holiday gatherings coming up, commit to drinking a healthy protein shake filled with nutrients 30-45 minutes before you leave the house (special trick: add almond butter or avocado to stay fuller longer). This will give you much better self-control when you get there. Eat a big salad before you go so you can skip the appetizer course and be selective at the main meal. Many people stick to diets such as being vegan, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, or sugar-free, and when the holiday meals and parties come around, that all goes out the window. This is just asking for inflammation and discomfort in the GI system. Instead, make certain agreements with yourself, I will have wine, I wont have dessert. I will have 1 bite of dessert but no more, and whatever those rules are for you, enter the holidays empowered knowing you have willpower and bigger goals in mind. Also, fit in movement, a walk, a workout, anything on the days you will be consuming more calories to burn off the cheat meals or unhealthy meals you are consuming.

4. Take supplements that support you through this tempting time

When its the holidays, theres extra travel, extra guests in town, extra parties and activities to attend, extra errands to run, so our daily routine gets disrupted. What cues can you put in place to make sure you are consistent with your supplements, with your SuperFoods or SuperSpices, with your healthy habits that support and nourish your body? Try putting a tray of your supplements out on the counter so even when rushing out the door you can grab the ones you need. Take supplements that support you through this hectic holiday time. Fusionary Formulas has three products that are especially good at this time of year:

Turmeric Gold: This highly potent formulation uses the most potent curcumin in the world to reduce inflammation in the body, provide immune and neurologic support, strongest known antioxidant, provides health benefits to vital organs. Support the body THROUGH the holidays!

Weight Loss Formula: Need help staving off those delicious tempting foods? This formulation uses all natural herbs that turn off your cravings for carbs and sugar, and promote greater appetite control.

Elite Athlete Formula: If the holidays are a stressful time for you, take an adaptogen called Ashwagandha that helps the body adapt to stress. This formulation increases stamina and endurance, who doesnt need that at this time of year?

5. Indulge a little!

Indulging just a little is better than going way overboard. If its your favorite holiday with your favorite dishes, indulge a little, do the little things that truly mean the holidays to you. But dont go overboard! One piece of peppermint bark, sitting down, savoring it, every ounce of it, is better than inhaling a whole box of it. Choosing three special occasions to have that favorite Starbucks hot chocolate is better than saying carte blanche its the holidays and I can eat everything in sight for two months straight. Trying 1-2 bites of the rich entrees and making sure some salad and veggies are on your plate is better than eating 2 large plates of everything and then wondering why you feel ill. Make your holiday agreements with yourself and then sit back and enjoy this beautiful, joyful time of year!

To connect with Shivani and learn more about SuperSpices visit: www.instagram.com/fusionaryformulas