Holiday Weight Gain Prevention Tips

Did you know the average person gains 5-15 pounds during the holidays? The average person keeps this weight on, so it adds up, year after year.

One of my very favorite books of all time is French Women Don’t Get Fat.

I graduated when I was 16 and moved to France as an exchange student for a year. I lived with a few different and beautiful French families, and learned SO MUCH about health, nutrition, and staying fit while NOT dieting.

I’ll do a more in depth post on this book/lifestyle and the principals later, but for now, I want to give you a few of my favorite tips for surviving the upcoming holidays without weight gain!!!

Tip 1: Eat light meals leading up to, and right after the anticipated big meal.

I learned this trick from one of my host mothers, Chantal. She was in her 60s and was a gorgeous and flawless women. She always ate bread, cheese, desserts, and drank wine and champagne....HOWEVER— she was super smart during the holidays and party time. The day or two before and after a large event or party, she would prepare the most AMAZING French Vegetable Soup. She would replace her dinner a couple of nights before and after with this cleansing and building soup, preparing her body for indulging without the gain. Now don’t be tricked— this is NOT dieting. This soup is AMAZING and soooo fulfilling, but it also does its job as compensation for indulging more than normal the day before! French women do NOT go hungry and do not deprive themselves, so dieting is never an option!

I incorporate this trick into my life by adding this soup or healthy smoothies, shakes and broths during the week of the holidays, and taking extra supplements.

This leads me to my next trick....

Tip 2: Minding water intake, sleep and supplements.

Many times during the holidays we don’t sleep as much, and allow the hustle and bustle as an excuse to fall off tracking our daily water intake, or even fall off our supplement routine. I am actually MORE consistent with my supplements, so I’m sure to not only keep weight off, but to avoid sickness as well!

With it cold outside often we don’t drink enough/, so I drink a LOT of electrolytes to make sure we stay hydrated as a family.

Make sure you’re making time to SLEEP! It’s amazing how sleep effects weight gain, and many times you will find yourself hungrier, less able to deal with stress, and more easily tempted by junk when you’re tired!

Tip 3: Check your stress levels!!

Cortisol is a beast when it comes to weight gain, so if you’re not careful, it can really take a toll on your body over the holidays. Take 10 minutes a day for YOU. Whether that is in prayer, meditation, stretching, deep breathing, yoga— take a minute to regroup and get centered!

Tip 4: Don’t arrive too hungry!

Eating something small before an anticipated big meal can make a huge difference on overeating or over indulging. A protein and carb combo works best (cheese and crackers, yogurt and fruit, sourdough toast with an egg and lots of grassfed butter, raw milkshake) and will also help you avoid mindless grazing. When you do eat, be sure to focus on WHAT you’re eating so you really savor and enjoy it. French women absolutely ENJOY and savor food and don’t eat "fat-free," "sugar-free," or anything artificial. They go for the real thing in moderation.

So remember:

De tout un peu et de peu pas beaucoup

(A little bit of everything, as in, you can have a little bit of everything in moderation).

Tip 5: Find other fun ways to compensate for the indulging.

Like I mentioned above, soup and smoothies are an easy way to balance the excess calories. Other good ideas: parking further away to get some extra steps in, using a rebounder for 5 -10 minutes a night or in the morning to get some extra exercise, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, standing for longer periods at work or near your desk.....just be PROACTIVE in moving your body a bit more when you get the chance!

The French say “Faire les cent pas” which translates to, walk a hundred steps — as in, walk around a bit while you’re waiting, cooking, working, etc! Use any opportunity to move!

What I love SO MUCH is that French women balance their food, drink, and movement on a week-by-week basis, and can easily plan around holidays, parties, events and travel by making a few simple changes to their lifestyles.

The holidays are a perfect time to infuse a bit of the “joie de vivre” and wisdom of French women.

And remember,

Faites simple.

Keep it simple! It truly is a simple way to live!

Here is my fav soup recipe:

French Vegetable Soup

2 or 3 large leeks, white and light green parts, sliced lengthwise and then into half-moons, well-rinsed

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 medium-large potatoes peeled and cubed

6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

6 tablespoons butter

5 large carrots, chopped

2 purple-topped turnips, peeled and chopped (or beets or any other root veggie)

1 celery root, peeled and chopped (or celery ribs if you canot find root!)

1/2 small head of cabbage, chopped

1 - 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice (optional)

32 oz bone broth

Fresh herbs like thyme parsley or tarragon

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Lemon juice

In a large stock pot, saute the leeks and garlic in the butter until softened, about 10 minutes. Add a bit of salt and pepper and the white wine. Add potatoes, carrots, turnips, and celery root and enough broth to cover, plus a bit more salt and pepper. Simmer until almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add the cabbage and tomatoes (if using) and the herbs, simmering for another 10-15 minutes or so. Test the vegetables to make sure they are tender, and taste for seasoning. If it seems to need more "brightness" add in splash of lemon juice.

At this point you can cool the soup slightly and then blend with a hand-blender or in a regular blender. If you prefer it with a bit of "tooth" then leave it as is.

To serve the blended soup, add a small dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top and a sprinkling of fresh herbs.

My beautiful French host parents, Jean and Chantel. She was in her 60’s here and totally gorgeous!