Now that the holidays are here, you may be wondering how you can maintain the changes you’ve made to your health and weight this year. With indulgences available in the fall, it’s easy to allow our holiday weight loss plans to become derailed. Not only that, but we might want them to become derailed! After all, no one wants to miss out on homemade pie on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, many of us might come to regret the decisions we made in December once January rolls around. When those extra few pounds have to be lost once again, it can be frustrating—not to mention disheartening—to keep going. To keep the momentum going without missing out on any of the holiday festivities, here are a few things you can do to maintain your holiday weight loss goals.

Here’s How to Keep Your Holiday Weight Loss Goals

It’s All About Moderation

I know you’ve heard it before, but moderation truly is the key to holiday weight loss. You don’t have to miss out on all of the treats, and you don’t have to work out extra hard in January to make up for it. Instead, try a more gentle tactic. Mireille Guiliano who wrote the favorite French Women Don’t Get Fat says the worse thing we can do during the holiday season is to “let it all go.” Instead, allow yourself to indulge in only your favorites.

If, for example, you know you won’t want to miss out on a glass of champagne and savory dessert, then allow yourself those things, without enjoying everything else too. So much of holiday weight gain occurs from foods we don’t even enjoy simply because it’s the holiday season and we figure we’ll make up for the indulgences when the year is over. Don’t eat the mediocre food sitting in the office kitchen. You won’t enjoy it, and it won’t be worth the calories. Save them for something you will enjoy, and that will be worth it.

Make Weekly Adjustments

How many times have you heard someone say that they overindulged one night, and were making up for it by exercising super hard the next day? You might have even said that yourself! But as we now know well, eating less is far more important than working out more. If you ate a five-course meal on Friday night, for example, don’t compensate by going to the gym the next day. Instead, eat soup for lunch on Saturday. A heavy meal can easily be offset by a light one—without leaving you feeling deprived.

Eat More Soup

Soups can be so comforting this time of year. They are one of the most nourishing meals you can eat simply because they are so low in calories and so high in vegetables. A nice warm butternut squash soup might taste wonderful this time of year. You’ll feel satisfied without feeling overstuffed! And hey, if you need a break from cooking, Mother’s would be happy to help you out. Our soup of the day is always a crowd pleaser.

Mother’s Downtown Kitchen has a variety of healthy food options in Bend, Oregon. Our menu features nourishing rice bowls and green juices. Just the perfect thing when the holiday parties keep on flowing. Stop by for a bowl. We’d love to help you keep your holiday weight loss goals this season.