There’s nothing like a break to our routine to throw a spanner in the works of any pregnancy weight loss plan.
With more social engagements on the calendar, excess food and drink consumption can be tossed aside with a ‘just this once’ mentality.
But at Christmas time there can be weeks where you are out and about more often than not, and your post pregnancy weight loss goals can take a back seat.
Today we address five of the common dilemmas of the festive season, giving you some tips so that losing weight after pregnancy is still an attainable goal at Christmas time.
Friends have invited you out for dinner and drinks to celebrate the end of the year
- You could….say what the heck, eat a load of bread from the basket, order a creamy entrée, a big main and a sugar-filled dessert – washed down with a few too many wines. You wake up feeling rough, remorseful, and on a big post-sugar low, craving unhealthy food and wanting to stay in bed.
- OR you could…enjoy a wine with your meal (not before), skipping the bread and entrée and choosing a healthy main such as chicken and veggies or steak and salad, then splitting a dessert with a friend. You will feel as though you’ve had a nice meal without feeling guilty about over indulging.
You’ve been asked to bring dessert to your family get-together
- You could….make a traditional mud cake or trifle, as it’s a family favourite. You could eat a large portion which might make you feel a bit queasy and quite sleepy afterwards.
- OR you could…try your hand at any one of our healthy Christmas dessert makeovers and offer a more balanced option for the family (we love the Ricotta Cheesecake and the Nutty Berry Mess). You can have a small to regular sized portion and leave the party knowing you have made a good choice.
You’re attending a Christmas party where the drinks and canapés will be plentiful
- You could….skip lunch and afternoon tea to reduce your total calories for the day, arrive starving and plant yourself next to the bar and buffet. You could overeat and drink too much, wreaking havoc with your blood sugar levels and putting you in a bad mood the next day.
- OR you could…make healthy choices that day, avoid treats in the afternoon, and then eat a nutritious snack before you arrive at the party (like some nuts, yoghurt or a banana). You can avoid sitting near the food and the bar so that you aren’t tempted to nibble mindlessly. You can alternate your wine with water, or choose a light option so that you don’t go overboard.
Your Christmas Day is usually spent with a huge spread of food that doesn’t really suit your healthy eating plans
- You could….throw caution to the wind and tuck in to way too much potato bake, white pasta salad, creamy desserts and trays of chocolates (plus those creamy cocktails that your aunt keeps making). You could spend the afternoon wanting to have a nap and having to chase after the kids who are high from too much sugar.
- OR you could…tell yourself that you are going to avoid the creamy fatty nibbles that are on the table, and serve yourself a normal sized plate of food (not going for seconds…or thirds) and enjoy a small portion of dessert. You can keep yourself away from the food and enjoy spending time with your family by organising some garden games for everyone to play.
You’re going on holidays after Christmas and know there will be lots of dining out on the cards
- You could….eat out for almost every meal, ordering things you’d never normally eat at home (like Eggs Benedict for breakfast, or deep fried Chicken Schnitzel for dinner) just because you’re on holidays. You might come home having put on a bit of weight, feeling bloated and exhausted.
- OR you could…take your blender on holidays with you so that you can make yourself a Healthy Mummy Smoothie for breakfast each day. Get some meats and salads in the house to make everyone a healthy wrap or sandwich for lunch. And you could be sure to make good choices when dining out – such as choosing a baked potato instead of chips, or leaving off any creamy dressings off salad or creamy sauces off your steak. You could schedule in family walks and trips to the beach to stay active while you enjoy your break.
By following some of the advice above, you can find your way to the other side of Christmas with your pregnancy weight loss on track.
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