9 Secrets to Maintaining Your Waistline

Hit the Mall: Look, I love online shopping as much as the next gal. But if you must hit the shopping mall, take advantage of the opportunity to add a couple of thousand steps to your day. Even better? Park your car at the end of the lot for even more of a calorie burn.

Pack Travel Snacks: Flying to visit the grandparents or have a long car ride to the in-laws? Plan ahead and pack a few healthy snacks for the journey. Homemade granola bars, mixed nuts, and fresh fruit are almost always in my diaper bag or purse when I hit the road.

Fill Up on Protein: I’m not going to lie: I love carbs. Warm crusty bread and olive oil? Yes, please. But, the problem with carbs alone is that they don’t keep me full which is why I always try to fill my plate with protein. Sabra hummus is always in our fridge for an added protein boost – spread it on your sandwich instead of mayo or mix it with quinoa to make Hummus Quinoa Cakes, an easy weeknight dinner. Lucky for me, my toddler is a huge fan and has been known to eat a whole tub in one sitting…

BYO Healthy Dishes to Share: Speaking of hummus, one of my best tips for surviving the hectic entertaining season is to bring your own healthy dish to share. Hummus and veggies, a hearty whole-grain salad or a side of roasted veggies are always welcome at holiday gatherings and provide a nice balance to the 1000^th piece of fudge.

Make Your Calories Count: When you find yourself standing in front of the buffet or at the dessert table, I encourage you to use the Two Bite Rule: take two bites and decide if it’s worth the calories. If it’s not, simply leave it on your plate. You don’t have to finish it just because you started it.

Be Wary of Food Pushers: You know that friend or relative who pushes food and simply won’t be satisfied until you’re neck-deep in another piece of manicotti or a third slice of cake? Me too. Don’t be afraid to say “no thank you” and when in doubt, try moving to another room in the house or changing the subject. While Aunt Ingrid means well, she’s probably living in stretch pants.

Don’t Drink Your Calories: We all probably know that peppermint mochas and eggnog lattes aren’t the best for our waistlines but it goes beyond that. When you drink your calories, your body doesn’t register them the same way it registers calories from food. As a result, you crave more and more because your body doesn’t feel full and you likely don’t get any long-lasting energy.

Create Non-Food Traditions: Now that I have a family of my own, I’m looking forward to creating new traditions that don’t revolve around food. For example, every Thanksgiving we write letters to the troops overseas so that they receive cards in time for Christmas. It’s something fun that we can do as a family that doesn’t involve two sticks of butter.

This Isn’t Your Last Cookie: Or a piece of cheese. Or a slice of Grandma’s pie. I promise. It’s ok to have just one or turn down the offer. You will have more opportunities to indulge sooner than you realize.