“OMG! All of a sudden it got blustery cold and I realized that winter is just about here and that means holiday season will be in full swing,” shares Hamptons health coach [and Water Mill resident] Rachel Graham who guides clients to find the food and lifestyle choices that best supports their personal goals. “I have good news and I have bad news. Here’s the bad news: we are likely to gain weight during the holiday season. The good news: you can take steps to avoid unnecessary weight gain.” Rachel shares FOUR EASY TIPS for KDHamptons readers to follow below….

Starting at the Thanksgiving holiday and continuing through New Years, the amount of rich and heavy foods, alcoholic drinks and decadent desserts that we consume often seem beyond our control. But, now is the time to develop and use strategies that work to limit your weight gain.

FOUR EASY TIPS TO COMBAT HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

1. Sweet treats. Here’s where you need to be a food snob – choose your absolute 1-2 favorite calorie-rich treats and thoroughly enjoy them. Take time to taste and savor in modest amounts. 
2. Parties and potlucks. Take time to survey the foods on the buffet and put together a plate that allows you to enjoy special holiday dishes. By balancing rich foods with simpler and lighter fare, like colorful veggies, you’ll be able to enjoy those special holiday dishes in modest portions. I always choose to eat the raw veggie salad or sushi and offer to bring a healthy quinoa dish to holiday parties.  
3. Alcohol and Sugary Beverages. These drinks add calories quickly and don’t make you feel full. Choose mostly calorie free drink – fruit infused sparkling water or spicy holiday teas for example. If you drink alcohol, keep portions small or make wine spritzers. I try to limit alcoholic drinks to weekends. I don’t want to be a “party pooper” but there are often too many weekday and weeknite festivities, and if I drink it becomes an unproductive work week. 
4. Lastly, don’t forget to keep active! Keep to your exercise routine and don’t let the holiday season derail you. Get outside for a beautiful hike in the fall foliage.  You can still enjoy the holiday season and feel even better when your clothes are not snug by using these tips.