The holiday season is upon us! Starting with Thanksgiving, we now have a month of shopping, hopefully enjoying the company of close, loved ones and... eating all of that yummy food. Actually, this is exactly what today's blog is all about. As crazy as things can get during this time of year, the one thing that we tend to have the hardest time with is keeping the holiday weight off.

Of course, it's tough. We all want to enjoy the holidays without feeling restricted but we also want to avoid any weight gain. (Fun Fact: The average American gains 5-12 pounds of fat between Thanksgiving and New Years Day). So the question is, how do I have the best of both worlds?

Fortunately, there is a way and I'm going to tell you. You see, the biggest problem with indulging in the holidays isn't just what we're eating. It's also the amount of food we're eating. So, let's dive into 5 simple steps you can take to help avoid the holiday weight gain without feeling like we've given up what makes these holiday meals so great!

1) Save your carbohydrate loaded foods for last - We all love our mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. The problem is these foods are responsible for the actual weight gain we experience every year. They spike insulin production and quickly convert to body fat. Instead, eat protein rich foods like your turkey and ham first. Then, veggies. Afterward, enjoy your carb-rich foods. You'll notice that you won't be able to eat quite as much of them as you normally would.

2) Slow down - Did you know it takes about 20 minutes for your body to send a signal to your brain to tell you that you're full? Well, if you're a fast eater, you may very well be overeating. If you just slow it down a bit, you should be able to avoid that second plate of food... at least for a little while. You'll notice that you won't feel as bloated, groggy, and tired afterward.

3) Avoid stress - Stress happens to be one of the biggest contributors to fat gain that most people aren't aware of. When you constantly stress out, your body creates higher levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. When you produce such high levels, it can mess with your insulin production, causing your body to produce more blood sugar. If not used quickly, it converts to fat. So, whenever you're feeling a little overwhelmed, just take a few minutes to kick back and relax.

4) Stick to one serving of dessert - This one kills me to write, but it's actually some of the best advice I can give. Over the next month or so, there's going to be an abundance of sweets around you all of the time. Now, I'm not telling you to not have dessert during these festive times. What I'm suggesting is you stick to one serving. Yes, we all want a slice of every pie, cake, and ice cream but we must also keep control. Keeping the desserts in check can keep a few pounds off.

5) Stay active - It seems obvious but staying active is a great way to burn those meals away. Not only that, regular physical activity is a huge stress reducer (refer to tip #3), keeps your energy elevated, and helps you maintain a higher metabolism. You can get your activity by exercising, doing manual labor around the house, or just playing outside with the kids.

Try using these 5 tips to make sure you're still looking and feeling your absolute best as you venture into the new year. You'll be surprised how effective these tips are when they're implemented. Every year I have a couple of clients that take advantage of these and some of them actually end up in better shape going into the new year than they were going into the holidays!

Before you go...

I am on a mission to raise at least $2,500 between today and Christmas Eve to help feed those who are struggling in these really tough times.

This is why I will be donating 100% of the funds collected by new members to Pulse Training Systems from today until December 24th! Don't wait till the new year to begin your 2021 health and fitness goals. Start the last health and fitness transformation you'll ever need today, knowing that your ambition will be paying it forward to a family that can use your help.

If you're unfamiliar with Pulse Training Systems and how it's specifically built to help busy parents feel and look better than ever, please CLICK HERE to learn how this remote training option offers you a superior experience, faster results, big savings, and full control of your journey. Thanks for your continued support!

P.S. Pulse Training Systems can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere in the world so please share this blog with anyone you know would benefit and like to help. Thanks!