2 Easy Ways to Help You Lose Weight Before Christmas

Losing weight can be a tough battle, and it definitely takes
patience and time. If you've tried the many different diets
out there, you know how frustrating it can be to wait and
see real results. Losing weight is even harder during the
holiday months, since this is when the cookies, ham, and
other fattening foods tend to be plentiful.

On the other hand, it's also a time for parties, socializing,
and seeing family members you haven't seen in a while, so
you obviously want to look your best. Fortunately, there are
some ways to help you lose weight quickly and just in time
for Christmas.
Part 1: The Diet You Should Follow for Rapid
Weight Loss Before December 25th
One of the key reasons that people have a difficult time
losing weight is because their digestive system is not
functioning properly. If your digestive system is not
performing at its optimum capacity, weight loss can be slow
or even halted completely. You can diet and eat healthy as
much as you want, but essentially the body cannot shed the
pounds, since the stomach is not digesting food properly.
There are scientific studies to show, however, that citrus
that is found in natural lemons and limes can aid the
digestive system, speeding up the weight loss process. This
may seem surprising, yet it's true: lemons are nature's tool
to helping you lose weight!
Lemons also contain pectin, and in a recent study, scientists
found that pectin can help eliminate cravings. In some
cases, the pectin can actually curb these cravings for up to
four hours, which is a great help when you're trying to lose
weight and diet correctly.

There are ways you can proactively add more lemon or other
citrus into your diet so that you can boost your metabolism
and resist the urge to overeat. Perhaps the most obvious
and commonly used way to integrate more lemon into your
diet is to simply squeeze fresh lemon juice into your water.
Water alone is already a great way to keep your system
clean and perk up the metabolism rate.

By adding lemon juice to water, you're adding a delicious
twist to everyday water while ingesting more citrus into your
diet. A great way to create a daily regimen for yourself is to
make sure you drink some lemon juice in warm water first
thing in the morning. This gives your metabolism a great
kick-start for the day.

Of course, you can also integrate lemon peel into your
deserts or other foods (which is the part of the lemon that
includes pectin), and sprinkle the lemon juice over your
food. Incorporate this new habit with a healthier diet and
you'll see results.

Speaking of beverages, alcoholic drinks should be kept to a
minimum when trying to lose weight. Avoid too much
caffeine as well, since it has been known to slow down
weight loss. Try not to drink sugar laden sodas or bottle fruit
juices that are packed with sugar and chemicals.
Tea is a good alternative, especially the sugar and caffeine
free versions, but water is absolutely the best beverage you
can ingest that will help your body function at optimal levels.

You can also include lemons in every day dishes such as
chicken or fish. Sprinkle the peel shavings into soups and on
top of fresh salads. This will give you the pectin in your diet
you will need to help stimulate the body's natural
metabolism.

The lemon also adds a flavorful twist to boring dishes. It is
also interesting to note that lemons are a great source of
fiber as well which helps to keep the body's digestive system
regular. Incorporating lemons is easier than you might think.
In addition, they are a fairly inexpensive way to give your
diet a boost.

It has been shown that by simply adding more fresh lemon
to your diet, you can actually regulate blood sugar levels by
as much as thirty percent. Our bodies' glucose and blood
sugar levels are extremely important parts of how we
process food and how we can maintain a healthy weight.
Proper levels of glucose are essential to maintain weight loss
and keep your body lean.

Citrus is also great for losing weight because it increases the
acid levels in the digestive system. In turn, the body is then
able to absorb calcium better, which is also a known weight
loss promoting vitamin.
Of course, eating lemons or drinking warm water with lemon
juice is not the only way to get those pounds off before
Christmas. Eating foods that are low in fat and high in
protein will help your body produce more muscle, which
burns fat.

Avoid sugar if possible, since this can throw off your body's
ability to burn fat properly. Sugar also "tricks" the body into
a false sense of energy, followed by a crash which can cause
fatigue and more sugar cravings later.

Another important element to speeding up weight loss is
incorporating more whole grains and fiber into the diet. Try
to avoid foods rich in too much starch and empty calories.
This includes things like white bread and pasta. Choose
healthier options such as whole-wheat pasta and breads
made with grain. Be sure to read the labels on the food you
buy and check their sugar, carbohydrate, and fiber content.
You'd be surprised at what is really in the foods we tend to
eat on a daily basis. Changing the way you view food can
have a positive effect on your weight loss goals.

Saturated fats are dangerous for your heart, cholesterol, and
they can get in the way of your weight loss. Be sure to
include foods rich in omega 3 oils such as fish and nuts.
These foods can help to curb cravings, speed up
metabolism, and help protect your vital organs including the
liver and heart.

Extra virgin olive oil is another wonderful addition to any
diet. It is rich in essential oils that will promote a healthy
diet. Olive oil also tastes great and can be used in countless
different recipes.

Moderate exercise combined with eating healthy will
definitely get those pounds off faster. Be sure you are also
getting enough sleep each night. Several recent studies
have shown that people who do not get enough sleep nightly
run the risk of overeating the next day, so be sure you get
at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night if possible.
Combine these healthy lifestyle habits with a glass of water
and lemon juice daily, and you can be well on your way to
shedding those unwanted pounds so you can fit into that
party dress just in time for the holiday season.


Part 2: How to Fight Those Awful Christmas Cravings

The holidays are definitely the most tempting time for
dieters to overeat. The peer pressure we feel by gathering
together with family and friends who bring cookies, cakes,
ham, eggnog, and other fattening foods can be
overwhelming. It's an American tradition for us to gorge
ourselves on sugary sweets, breads, and other foods that
are bad for us during the Christmas season.

The temptation is all around us, too. From work parties to
friends sharing time together, there is enough unhealthy
food at this time of year to last us a lifetime.
The good news is that there is a difference between real
hunger and simple cravings. The secret is learning how to
tell the difference between the two so you can fight off the
urge to overeat. Sometimes the best thing to do is simply
take a step back and think about what you're eating before
you grab something off the deli platter. Take a deep breath
and ask yourself if you truly need to eat that cookie right
now.

You might surprise yourself when you allow a moment to
just look over your food choices, and then make a decision
not to eat the foods that will cause you to gain weight.

Distractions can really help fight off the holiday cravings. If
you're sitting on the couch thinking about Aunt Susie's
cherry pie, the odds are you will end up eating a slice (or
two). However, by distracting ourselves with other things,
often you'll find that the cravings will soon disappear.
Instead of simply imagining you're eating tons of unhealthy
food, concentrate on something else like decorating the
house, reading a book, or taking a walk. Turn your attention
to something else so that you are not focusing solely on the
food.

Be realistic in your goals this season. Think about how much
weight you want to lose, and then decide whether or not
that goal is something you can achieve. Better yet, many
people decide they just simply want to maintain their weight
over the holidays versus actually trying to diet.
Let's face it: it can seem almost impossible to lose weight
during this time of year; so just staying within your current
range is an achievement. By setting goals that are more up
to par with your lifestyle, you're not setting yourself up for
disappointment. Instead, you'll be pleased once the holidays
are over.

There are many different ways you can maintain your weight
and keep those cravings at bay. First and foremost, try to
cut down on your portion sizes, but don't restrict yourself so
much that you can't enjoy a tasty snack and good company.
Instead of a huge slice of pie, simply cut it in half. Rather
than piling your plate up with items from the deli tray, grab
a slice of turkey and cheese and then choose healthier
options like fresh fruit to fill in that blank plate space.

It may surprise you to know that by eating more, smaller
snacks, you can actually fight off serious cravings AND lose
weight at the same time! Eat small snacks four to five times
per day (just be sure they are healthy snacks). When you do
this, the body is keeping your metabolism in check and you
avoid going into "starvation mode." This can happen when
you don't eat for long periods of time.

The body goes into a metabolic panic, and we tend to
overeat. Snack regularly on carrot sticks, apples, or other
healthy foods, and you'll see some pounds come off.
Another good tool for helping you curb cravings and lose a
few pounds is to keep a food diary. Simply write down every
single thing you eat for each snack and meal (include all
beverages), and tally up the calorie count. This can really
help you remain accountable for the things you're eating,
and it just might discourage you from gorging on those
Christmas foods than can cause weight gain.

As you track the foods you eat, correlate that with your
weight loss and see if you can find a pattern that will
encourage you to stay on track.

Finding a friend is essential to both losing and maintaining
your weight, especially during the holidays. Recruit the help
of a good friend who can support you as well as be a spot
checker for your dieting habits. Together, you can hold each
other accountable, open up a dialogue, and have fun while
watching what you eat.

Studies have shown that people who have dieting and
workout partners tend to stick with their healthy plans
better and also get less discouraged.

Of course, don't forget water. Water is essential for a
healthy body, and is absolutely the best thing you can
consume while on a diet or trying to lose weight. Christmas
brings us lots of beverage relate temptations, from sugar
and fattening eggnog to liquor or flavored coffees. Choose
water and you'll boost your metabolism, clear your body of
toxins, and see your energy levels increase.

If you do decide to partake in the celebratory glass of wine
or mixed drink, be sure to do so in moderation. Once you're
done drinking for the night, follow it up with water to help
flush it out of your system.

Incorporate healthier cooking options into your daily and
holiday regimen. Use applesauce instead of eggs when you
bake cookies or brownies. Come up with sugar free treats to
make this season, or opt for homemade crafts instead of
food. Think of new ways to cook old favorites that will make
them healthier for your body and for your waistline.

You might just discover some new cooking tips that you can
use all year round and not just during the Christmas season.
Positive thinking is definitely a great way to help fight the
Christmas cravings. By maintaining a positive attitude, you
can help stay in the spirit of the season while preventing a
weight loss tragedy. Think ahead and think positive, and you
will see some pounds come off.

If you can stay in a good frame of mind, you will definitely
do much better when it comes to resisting some of the food
related temptations of the holidays. If you do happen to fall
or eat too much on any one occasion, simply pick back up
where you left off the next day.

Eliminate stress as much as possible. Take a hot bath. Read
a favorite book or listen to a calm and soothing CD. Many
people who are stressed out tend to overeat, so by keeping
a cool and clear head, you will be able to make better
decisions. Stress is not helpful to your body or your mind, so
try to implement some stress-busting techniques. A day at
the spa or just a nice long walk can really help to get rid of
some of the stress we feel during the holidays.

Try not to reward yourself with food. This can be extremely
counterproductive, particularly when you're trying to lose or
maintain weight. Instead, buy yourself a sweater you've
been eyeing or treat the family to a night at the movies. If
you accomplish a goal whether it is big or small, never tell
yourself it's ok to eat that piece of cake today since you did
so well the day before.
If you do, you're undoing the positive things you already
accomplished. Instead, reward successes with other things
like a new haircut or put some money in your savings.
Simple steps like these can really help you to eat healthier
not only at Christmas, but they can also help you to change
your eating habits for a lifetime. You can resist unhealthy
temptations with a little bit of practice, and soon you will
find yourself actually wanting to choose the healthier
options.
The task may feel a little daunting at first, but once it's
made into a habit, you will start to feel better and see more
results. Using all of the tips here, you should be able to
enjoy the upcoming holiday without worrying about weight gain