Good morning friends! I am very excited because today’s post is written by my friend  Ahna of Hammers & Hugs. If you are not familiar with Ahna let me tell you a little bit about her;  Ahna is a mother, a wife, a nurse practitioner, the writer of the lifestyle blog Hammers and Hugs, a coach for Faster Way to Fatloss and coming January 1st she is launching her first podcast, Imperfictly Empowdered. I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago she launched a digital magazine by the same name. To say that Ahna is amazing would be an understatement. Today she is sharing her tips for enjoying all that the holidays have to offer but not going overboard. Without further ado here is Ahna!

Christmas.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  

A season of giving, laughter, and cute stretchy pants because ain’t no way I’m making it out of Christmas dinner in the cute little black dress and skinny belt that’s been hiding in the back of my closet for the last year.  

Maybe I’m the only one, but the truth is the holidays often present a predictable cycle of weight gain and stress resulting in the most popular New Year’s resolution of “losing weight.”  

In my 6 week virtual fitness and nutrition program, I have this conversation with clients every year around this time, and I am going to offer you the same advice I give them.  

5 Practical Tips to Prevent Overeating During the Holidays

5 practical tips to prevent overeating during the holidays so that you can think LESS about food and MORE about the fellowship around it.  

Because I firmly believe food was meant to be enjoyed.  

Tip #1: When filling your plate, start with a vegetable first.

Come meal time, put a vegetable on your plate first. Add some protein second, and fill it up with carbs last.  Be sure to adhere to tip #2.

#2. Limit yourself to one dinner plate (FILL IT UP)!

This is a simple concept, but practice the one and done mentality.  

Fill up one dinner plate and ENJOY IT.  The second plate never tastes as good anyway.  

Go into your first plate knowing this is it.  Enjoy every bite by practicing the next 2 tips.

#3. Eat slowly.

If there was one tip on this list that I myself need to practice, then it would be this one.

As a mom with young kids getting a hot minute to eat uninterrupted is about as rare as a kale smoothie that actually tastes good.

The moments are few and far between, so when they present themselves I find myself eating quickly as though somehow shoveling food into my mouth with unprecedented speed will make it more enjoyable. 

One way to combat this is tip #4.

#4. Practice the 2:1 eating method.

This is pretty self-explanatory. Take 2 bites off of your plate. Enjoy them. Then take 1 sip of water.

While doing this, engage with the conversation around you. 

If you aren’t super interested in Uncle Bob’s recent cataract surgery, then enjoy the amazing food on your plate and take a moment to find something or someone in the room you are grateful for.

Eat MINDFULLY.

#5. Chew gum in between meals.

I would be willing to bet the NUMBER ONE reason for overeating during the holidays is NOT too much food during the meals. 

It is NOT too many sweets for dessert. 

It is NOT alcohol or too many sugary drinks.

It is SNACKING in between meals.

For many it is the unconscious process of taste testing everything as it is made – eating the cookie (or 5) that broke while trying to scrape them off the pan. 

Popping chips and crackers and cheese and candy into your mouth while socializing around the kitchen.

If you find yourself declaring a hearty amen to any of the above, then this tip is for you.

If you are terrified that over the next month you will ruin all the hard work you have put in this year to take control of your health, then this is a practical way to avoid the unconscious dangers of snacking.

Put a piece of gum into your mouth in between meals to help you restrain and retrain old habits.

Want more healthy eating tips? 

Check out my full list of 21 Healthy Eating Tips For The Holidays because food was meant to be enjoyed.

If you are interested in experiencing food freedom, fitting into smaller pant sizes, and discovering an all-natural, sustainable way of living well, then I would love to have you join my next round of the FASTer Way With Ahna that starts on January 3, 2022!

Per the latest stats, my average client loses 8 inches in 6 weeks, and 100% of my clients report an improved relationship with food and that they believe this program is SUSTAINABLE.  

Remember This!

Above all else, remember that you were defined with infinite worth by a Divine Creator the moment you were knit together in your mother’s womb.  

You cannot be redefined.  Only redeveloped.  

Redeveloped to fulfill your God-given purpose with more energy, freedom, and joy. 

You are infinitely precious.  Before and after.  

Live out of that truth this holiday season.  Your story matters and you are loved.  

Merry Christmas!  

I hope that you enjoyed Ahnas’ 5 tips for not overeating during the holidays, I know that I did. If you would like to learn more about Ahna, or her coaching please visit her blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by today friends, I appreciate you spending part of your day here. You can also find me on Facebook.com/Pineconesandacornsblog, on Instagram @pineconesandacorns, on Pinterest and Twitter!

Have a great day friends!

This post contains affiliate links, I am also an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase something from a link on this page, I will earn a small commission. There is no extra charge to you.