On my own: I found a way not to gain a single gram of fat at Christmas

Every year, with the arrival of Christmas, the same question arises: How to enjoy all the goodies, and yet not get scared by looking at the scale after the holidays? I myself struggled with a similar problem for several years. I love the Christmas atmosphere, and with it all the cookies, Christmas sweets, and potato salad with schnitzel. For several years after Christmas, I had to stick to drastic diets to get back to my original weight. But now I have my strategy, thanks to which my figure will not change over Christmas and at the same time I will enjoy the magic of Christmas to the fullest.

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The most important rule

During Christmas, it's easy to slip into overeating and that's what my first principle is about. There are goodies everywhere, everyone tempts us to taste their cookies and at the end of the day we regret how much we have eaten. Over time I have realised that I don't have to taste everyone's cookies, or I can taste one or two pieces. No one should force me to eat when I don't want to.

So, generally during Christmas, I try to eat moderately and wisely. I serve myself smaller portions and I slowly savour my food. During meals, I don't forget to drink water, so my stomach feels adequately full.

At the same time, I try not to drink alcohol during the holidays. It is very high in calories and it makes me crave more sweets or snacks. If I have to toast, I will have one glass and drink water or tea for the rest of the evening.

Don't skip meals

In the past, I would compensate for overeating with fasting and dieting. For example, I would skip breakfast so I could have a proper dinner. But in the end, I always ended up eating more than necessary because of hunger. Now, during the holidays, I eat regularly - breakfast, lunch, dinner and light snacks in between.
In order to fully enjoy Christmas dishes, I incorporate Christmas cookies or Christmas bread into my diet as a snack or breakfast. When I know that I can plan its consumption, I don't need to nibble during the day. I know that I will have the cookies for a snack without remorse.

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Healthier Sweets

When I started trying recipes for healthier alternatives to sweets a few years ago, I was afraid they would not taste good. But I was surprised how simple modifications make a big difference. Instead of white flour, I now use spelt or wholemeal, white sugar is replaced by cane, honey or natural sweetener and butter is partly replaced by curd or yoghurt.
The result is sweets that are lighter and still taste great. A great alternative is also healthy sweets, such as dried dates or directly from fruit. Such sweets are less caloric and more nutritious.

Light Dinner

Another thing I adhere to during Christmas is adjusting my dinners according to what I've eaten during the day. If I have something heavier for lunch, like a fried schnitzel or potato salad, I'll prepare something light for dinner, with a predominance of proteins.
Salad with chicken, cottage cheese with fruit, or perhaps steamed fish are my favorite options. Thanks to this, I don't feel like I'm denying myself anything while feeling good. At the same time, it's important not to panic if you're visiting somewhere where you'll have a greasy dinner and lunch. On the contrary, enjoy the meal and have a lighter dinner the next day.

Movement as a daily ritual

I am a realist, and therefore I know that I usually don't find time for long workouts during Christmas. But I found that even short activities help me maintain energy and somewhat compensate for a higher calorie intake. Every day I find at least ten minutes for light exercise, a few squats, planks, or sit-ups. If possible, I also like to dance to my favorite music. Just 10 minutes are enough and I immediately feel better.
In addition to that, I try to go for walks. Whether it's to the forest, to the Christmas markets or just around the house, moving in fresh air does me good, not only physically but also mentally. At the same time, I enjoy the festive decoration in our town.

Fruits and vegetables as a savior

One of the things that helps me a lot is incorporating fruits and vegetables into my diet. I love tangerines, cucumbers, peppers, apples, or grapes, and when I crave something, instead of sweets or chips, I often take a fruit. These foods give me energy and especially then I don't have such a craving for sweet or fatty things.

My Christmas comfort

Christmas for me is about joy, comfort, and time with family. I don't want to spend it stressed about what I eat, but at the same time I don't want to spoil the festive atmosphere with the feeling that I overdid it. That's why I found a way that works for me - no starvation, no remorse, but also no overeating.
Thanks to these simple tips, I handle Christmas without unnecessary weight gain and I believe they could work for you too. After all, it's not about being perfect, but finding a balance that suits us.

Source: author's text