It’s easy to overeat during the holidays with all the delicious offerings. The average holiday meal has about 3,000 calories, according to the Calorie Control Council. That doesn’t even include alcohol you may consume!
"People kind of let themselves go, because they think it's okay,” says physical trainer Brian Brenzels. “Because they have an excuse to not workout and eat everything."
However, don’t stress too much. The average person only gains two pounds during the holidays, according to a study published in Psychology and Behavior.
But if that two pounds scare you, how can you avoid it?
When tomorrow comes, and you're faced with an abundance of food, Brenzels says to grab the smallest plate.
“If you grab the bigger plate, you tend to fill it up completely,” he says. “You grab the smaller plate, you fill it up, that's still a quarter of the portions you would eat."
When it comes to leftovers, give it away.
"A lot of people are eating all the leftovers,” Brenzels says. “Send the leftovers home with people in small increments. Set yourself up for success."
And once Friday morning rolls around, make sure you get back at it.
"Still wake up, even if it's a walk, get up,” the trainer recommends. “Get moving, get that metabolism going. Get that workout in in the morning, and then its right back to normal."
Whatever you do, Brenzel says, don't wait till the New Year to make your resolution to get fit.
"Make your resolution right now,” he says. “Friday. Friday morning, you wake back up and you get back to it."
