The Skinny on Holiday Weight Gain

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center offers tips on how to avoid gaining weight this holiday season.

Dr. James Campbell and Malissa Spacek of BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center.

Holiday foods look so scrumptious this time of year – everything from turkey, ham, dressing, casseroles, rolls, pies, pastries – just thinking about it will make a person hungry. But when those holiday festivities pass and become a memory, the pounds those foods can put on your body don’t fade so quickly into the distance.

Malissa Spacek of BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center knows how difficult it can be to keep that extra ten pounds of holiday memories off your body. That’s why she advises staving them off ahead of time and offers a few tips to help you do so.

The first and most ­important piece of advice Malissa offers is to drink a ­minimum of three quarts of water per day. “Water gives a sense of fullness,” she points out. “And you will feel better overall because it flushes out ­toxins and keeps your body hydrated so that your skin and hair don’t dry out and you won’t feel so fatigued.” She ­recommends replacing ­caffeinated drinks with green tea or some other sugar free, fat free, low sodium option and emphasizes that “caffeine does not help with weight loss.” Malissa acknowledges that many people will want to have a cocktail or some other alcoholic beverage during holiday festivities, and this is fine in moderation – but she suggests to alternate your “grapes with water,” stressing the importance of drinking a lot of water to offset alcohol’s ­dehydrating effects..

Alcohol is not the only temptation at holiday gatherings. An abundance of fattening food is sure to tempt many away from their healthy eating regimen. Malissa does not recommend that you totally deprive yourself during these enjoyable moments, noting, “It is your daily habits that are important, rather than one-time events or slip-ups. This is not just about losing weight – it is about maintaining.” To keep these moments under control, she strongly advises that you “pre-eat” before such gatherings, filling up on healthy choices such as a handful of carrots or a large apple, along with a quart of water. “Try it,” she says. “You will be amazed.”

Another tip is to use a salad plate instead of a large plate at the event so you won’t feel deprived at the moment – or guilty later. “Portion control is key,” says Malissa. In her work, Malissa has seen that many people wait until after the holiday to start a weight control plan. However, she sees the most success from those who do not wait until after the ­damage is done but rather plan ahead. “Proper planning is such a huge part of success in weight maintenance at any time and especially through the holidays,” she says. “So many things can be avoided, including nervous ­eating, stress eating, and simply eating because it’s there.”

If you have previously gained pounds you want to shed, Malissa invites you to visit BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center before the holiday season so that you can put a new, individualized healthy eating regimen and ­doctor-supervised weight loss plan into place before temptation runs rampant.

Perhaps you do not want to lose weight, but would like to add a more youthful glow to your appearance. For the holiday season, BA Med Spa will be offering specials on Botox ­injections, a great way to make you look rested and refreshed in a hurried and stressful time. This holiday, give yourself an early Christmas gift – a younger looking and healthier you.

Call BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center at (918) 872-9999 for your consultation.

For more information, contact

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

www.baweightspa.com