We have arrived at the holiday weekends now and I’m here with holiday weight loss tips for you!
It’s easy to get caught up in all holiday cheer and indulgent treats, but it’s important to remember that a few days of celebration won’t derail your progress. Amidst all the celebrations this season, it’s important to keep our perspective and not let the scale dictate our happiness or motivation.

It’s true that the scale can be a nasty, lying b!tch, but remember that it doesn’t tell the whole story. Did you know it takes an excess of 3,500 calories to gain one pound of fat?

If your scale is telling you you’re up 5lbs. from the holiday weekend, that means you would have had to eat 17,500 extra calories. That’s not possible. Do yourself a favor, instead of freaking out, which will just make things worse, READ THIS

Holiday foods are sneaky: Many of those delicious holiday treats are high in sodium, causing your body to retain water. So, if your scale is showing a temporary increase, it’s likely due to water weight. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that your hard work is still paying off! Check out my Instagram for holiday recipes and product swaps.

Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out that excess fluid from your system. It’s a simple but effective way to help your body get back to its normal balance.

Don’t fall into the trap: One of the biggest mistakes people make is reacting to the number on the scale by eating less. This can actually make matters worse by leading to a cycle of restriction and bingeing, which can be detrimental to your overall goals.

Stick to the plan: The best choice you can make after seeing a number on the scale that you’re not happy with is to stay committed to your original weight loss plan. Don’t deprive yourself; instead, remind yourself of the factors mentioned above and trust in your process.

You are doing great! One weekend of indulgence won’t undo all your progress. Holiday weight loss and weight maintenance is totally possible. Remember, weight fluctuates, but your commitment and determination are what truly matter in the long run. 

Keep up the fantastic work, and stay focused on your goals. You’ve got this!

The post Holiday Hazards #1 appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

Summer party weekends are here! Having an adult beverage is a big part of Summer fun. When you go into your party weekends Real Deal style, you can still enjoy and continue to meet your weight loss or maintenance goals.

It’s not the alcohol itself that makes you gain weight. It’s what you mix it with; the sodas, juices, simple syrups, margarita mixes, etc. that you add to alcohol that really packs on the pounds. A standard shot of most typical alcohol is just 97 calories.

So alcohol can easily fit into your weight loss or maintenance plan.

Here are 3 ideas for Summer drinks for Weight Loss that will let you in on the fun and keep you on track:

1. Instead of sugary, empty calorie mixers, mix your favorite alcohol with seltzer. Add lemon , lime, or a slice of orange  for flavor. At a restaurant, ask the bartender to muddle the fruit for you – known at my favorite restaurant as “The Gladys”. You won’t want it any other way. It is so refreshing and delicious.

A splash of juice goes a long way for flavor as well.

*Note: Tonic water is not the same as seltzer. Do not get these two mixers confused. Tonic is soda and not calorie free. 

2. Try a white wine spritzer. It’s like a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) that is, it’s half a glass of wine and half a glass of seltzer and only approximately 60 calories. 
Hydrate and drink alcohol.

3. Portion control is key. Have you ever been at a party and your host just keeps topping you off? Before you know it, you have overdone it.

There are so many options now for delicious, portion controlled drinks in cans. There are hard seltzers, mixed vodka, and tequila drinks and they clock in at about 100 calories per can.

And your best friend for all your Summer drinks… add ice ! It makes your drinks last longer, makes them so refreshing and you have less drinks overall.

You can enjoy the holiday weekend parties and still make good choices. 

The post Summer Drinks for Weight Loss appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

The holidays are here and I’m here with some holiday weight loss tips for this time where we become inundated with food gifts, and leftovers, leaving some of the biggest holiday temptations right in your own home! Whether it’s the leftovers from the holiday party you hosted, the cookies your real estate agent left on your doorstep, or the gingerbread house your mom dropped off for the kids, excess food and treats end up at home much more frequently during the holidays. 

Have a plan for handling leftovers and treats at home. To stay on track, make it a habit to get rid of food gifts & leftovers! 

It’s never really indulging in a holiday treat or meal that gets you. It’s continuing to eat these things for the days and weeks to follow that does! 

When it comes to your holiday leftovers, pack up what you can for your guests to go home with and toss the rest. 

Think it’s a waste of money? The money has already been spent. Eating the leftovers won’t get the money back. 

Other people in your family like the leftovers? Pack up a “portion” for them and put it in an out-of-direct view place in the fridge. Hopefully, you will not eat that one slice of your child’s favorite cake you saved for them. 

When it comes to food gifts, there are a number of ways to share the love.

1. Take it to the office and let the piranhas at it. My husband took a ton of cake pops and other desserts to his office after our Hanukkah party last year and he said it was all gone in a matter of minutes!

2. Re-gift it! Take the cookies from the realtor over to your neighbor or better yet, leave them outside your door with a note for the Amazon delivery person. Regifting allows you to spread happiness and stay on track.

3. Donate it to a local community organization or food pantry. I’ve noticed there are lots of organizations collecting things for Christmas for families in need right now. 

4. If need be just throw it out! And don’t feel bad because ditching it does not discount the kind intentions behind the gift. 

If you don’t have it in the house, it’s not there for you to eat. End of struggle.

I share this holiday weight loss tip year after year…
Stop relying on willpower. 
Instead, arrange your environment so you don’t have to.

The key is to keep it moving! Get leftovers and food gifts out of the house as soon as possible. 

As I always say, BETTER IN THE TRASH THAN ON YOUR ASS or thighs or belly!

The post Holiday Weight Loss Tips: Food Gifts & Leftovers appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

Let’s start with appetizers…

Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

This is my all time fave!! This dip is so low-cal, you’ll be shocked at how yummy it is! Just 30 calories for a 2 tablespoon serving!! Pair this with veggies or crackers as an appetizer and you won’t go into the meal feeling “stuffed”!

Scallops Wrapped in UnCured Bacon with Brown Sugar Glaze

These satisfying and fancy looking appetizers couldn’t be easier to make and are just 60 calories each.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Trader Joe’s most popular appetizer has only 45 calories for two creamy and delicious tablespoons!

Green Bean Casserole Bites

Trader Joe’s has taken that famous Green Bean Casserole, and re-imagined it in appetizer form! You could also serve it with your main meal for a perfectly portion controlled side . Just 30 calories each! 

The bite-sized phyllo dough cups are filled with that familiar mixture of green beans, mushrooms, heavy cream, and Cheddar cheese. They sprinkle crispy fried onions on top—a finishing touch that most people would consider the distinctive mark of this holiday classic. Just 7 to 12 minutes at 400°F (Pro tip: 7 minutes in your air fryer makes for an even crispier exterior.)

Onto the main event and the delicious sides we all love. But first, let’s address prep. Using these products will help you with your day of cooking and eating!

Mirepoix

Mirepoix , mix of onions carrots and celery. Use as a starter for so many holiday dishes. Shaves so much time off prep! This is a Trader Joe’s Holiday products staple.

Prepped Veggies

All the pre washed and chopped seasonal basics . We love shortcuts 

Now we are talking dinner…

Asparagus or Mushroom Risotto

These creamy delicious risottos can be on your holiday table in just 5 minutes. Only 150 calories for a one cup serving for the asparagus and 160 for the mushroom.

Potato Pancakes

Everyone knows these are the hands down best latkes anywhere. I will never bother with the mess of  making my own or spend a fortune on getting them freshly made somewhere. They are a huge hit every single year and just 150 calories for a 2 latke serving. I serve them with reduced fat sour cream.

One Potato Two Potato

This  hearty GRATIN  side dish will only set you back 150 calories for a one cup serving. Two types of potatoes, two types of mushrooms and two types of cheese will make this creamy, easy to heat up side dish a hit at your holiday table.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

This savory creamy side dish has only 130 calories per one-cup serving! it contains hearty broccoli and tender cauliflower (they make up 50% of the dish!) roasted and cocooned in a velvety, buttery sauce, then blanketed with a crust of Mozzarella & Grana Padano cheese. OMG!

Holiday Vegetable Hash

This has all the flavors of the season already cleaned and chopped up for you! Its got small dices of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, red onions, and celery, accompanied by a flavorful and fragrant herb-trio of parsley, sage, and rosemary. A beautiful, low calorie, fastened easy side or add to a holiday soup.

Colorful Carrot Coins

A beautiful array of colorful carrots that are perfectly seasoned. An excellent side to dish to your holiday meal. Ready in minutes and just 90 calories per cup!

Creamed Greens

Think of Trader Joe’s Creamed Greens as a twist on creamed spinach, with Brussels sprouts as the flavor focal point. Rich, creamy, hearty, and delicious, it’s fully cooked before being frozen, so it’s ready to heat and eat in minutes. For a holiday dinner-worthy presentation, plate it on your favorite serving dish and top with crunchy breadcrumbs and savory bacon. Just 130 calories for a generous 1 cup serving 

Trader Joe’s has you covered for Holiday dessert too.

Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars

THINK Girl Scout Thin Mints with sprinkles. And you can have 13 of these adorable, insanely delicious cookies for just 130 calories!!! Consider getting a storage unit and stocking up as they are only available for a short time!!!

Mini Peppermint Meringues

These are amazing and you shouldn’t go through the season without having them! Just 80 calories for 11 meringues ..plenty to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth without breaking the calorie bank!

These products help me make my holidays easy and delicious! Some of these items are seasonal and only available for a limited time so hop on over to your local Trader Joe’s and try some of my favorites this holiday season.

The post My Favorite Trader Joe’s Holiday Products 2021 appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

Don’t Make Your Holidays a HoliMONTH

Think about it. It’s not the holidays that cause you to gain weight. Those are just a handful of days. Thanksgiving is over already. All that’s left is a few religious holidays, perhaps some parties, and then it’s New Year’s Eve. If you don’t live every day of December like one endless indulgence, you might be shocked to learn that you don’t have to gain any weight at all. The secret is preparation. 

As we enter the holiday season, take out your social calendar, and literally mark off how many events you have planned this month. With a good handle on how many days you have booked and how they are spaced out over the month, you will also see more clearly all the days you can really stay on point with your caloric intake. Then write down how you will indulge at each function, including how much you plan to drink, how many cookies you will allow yourself, and so on. Just by making these preparations, you have already won half the battle. All you have to do is stick to the plan.

Forget Will-Power, Rely on Environment

Armed with your holiday schedule, you can focus on all the other goodies that will be put before you throughout the month.  Friends and clients love to send their appreciation in the form of decadent chocolate and artisanal snacks. Just remember- you are not required to eat any of it. Most of it is sugar, which will only cause you to want more, and none of it was budgeted for in your holiday indulgence calendar. If you do decide to indulge in these gifts, at the very least, let it be something that’s worth it to you. Choose these moments thoughtfully. 

At home, we have more control. Since will-power is not dependable, the best option is to get whatever it is out of the house. Give it to your kids and ask them to hide it, regift it, or just throw it away. Don’t worry about the waste or that you’ve disrespected a kind gesture. The money has been spent, and the gift has been appreciated. Eating it doesn’t prove your gratitude!

Holiday Traditions and Triggers

This time of the year is a notoriously busy one. And many of our most beloved traditions can also be our most dangerous triggers when it comes to staying on a weight loss plan. Some of the most common triggers include:

Baking 

For many of us, baking is the quintessential holiday activity. The only problem with baking is… all the delicious, sweet things you bake. We all know you aren’t going to be able to resist sampling the goods. If baking is an absolute Must on your holiday list, you also MUST decide before you begin, what of the batch you will eat. Set aside a moment when you can truly enjoy your labor of love and do it without guilt or regret. It will taste better that way. 

Leftovers

Like baking, leftovers invade your environment. They are better left at the party you attended, sent with the guests you invited, donated to a local food bank, or tossed in the garbage. Remember, the money is already spent. Don’t feel bad. As we like to say, “Better in the trash than on your ass!”

Too Busy to Cook

Between all the shopping, working, wrapping, preparing, and partying- our meal schedule can get way off track. Make sure to anticipate the time crush and stock up on frozen meals and quick solutions you can use to get a healthy meal on the table before you crash. 

Shopping

In the days leading up to Christmas, last-minute shopping is bound to interfere with your meal schedule. Don’t leave the house without healthy snacks to help you over a sugar low. The last thing you want is to be starving by the time you get a chance to eat again. If you plan to be out during mealtime, make a reservation so that you won’t have to wait too long for a table. Or bring a meal to take along with you. Most importantly, don’t forget to drink water. The brain is easily tricked into mistaking thirst for hunger.

Stress and Sleep Deprivation

Holiday preparations take their toll on us emotionally and physically. If it gets to the point where you aren’t getting enough sleep, you are just setting yourself up for trouble. It’s a domino effect that starts when you don’t get a minimum of 6 hours of sleep. Now the hormones kick in, causing both a 60% spike in hunger AND an inability to feel full. It’s a recipe for disaster that you really want to avoid. Make sure to get your 7-9 hours of sleep. Set an alarm if you have to and force yourself to go to bed. Whatever you’re doing can wait. Cut stress where you can. You don’t have to volunteer for every committee and attend every holiday function. Your well-being is more important. If you can, carve out time for yourself to just relax and reserve your energy for later, when you really need it.

Unscheduled time

The end of December tends to become more unstructured as work schedules are relaxed, and the kids are off from school. Instead of hanging out with best pals Boredom and Eating, plan some activities! Get some home projects done, reach out to old friends, read a great book, or take an online course. 

Be Kind to Yourself

Like anything else in life, how you respond to your slip-ups is one of the biggest indicators of your success. The most important thing is that you rebound quickly. You can get right back on track at your next meal. You don’t have to wait until January to start eating right just because of a cookie bender you had two days ago. There’s no need to shame-spiral into a situation that will force you to have a bigger problem to contend with when the new year begins. 

How you approach the holidays is a choice. You can choose to struggle through it, or you can honor your choices and enjoy the season. At The Real Deal Weight Loss, we hope you find these holiday tips empowering and inspiring. You got this! Happy Holidays! 

The post ‘Tis the Season NOT to Sabotage Your Weight Loss Goals appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

Asparagus or Mushroom Risotto

These creamy delicious risottos can be on your holiday table in just 5 minutes. Only 150 calories for a one cup serving for the asparagus and 160 for the mushroom.

Mirepoix

Mirepoix , mix of onions carrots and celery. Use as a starter for so many holiday dishes. Shaves so much time off prep!

Potato Pancakes

Everyone knows these are the hands down best latkes anywhere. I will never bother with the mess of  making my own or spend a fortune on getting them freshly made somewhere. They are a huge hit every single year and just 150 calories for a 2 latke serving. I serve them with reduced fat sour cream.

Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

This is my all time fave!! This dip is so low-cal, you’ll be shocked at how yummy it is! Just 30 calories for a 2 tablespoon serving!! Pair this with veggies or crackers as an appetizer and you won’t go into the meal feeling “stuffed”!

Scallops Wrapped in UnCured Bacon with Brown Sugar Glaze

These satisfying and fancy looking appetizers couldn’t be easier to make and are just 60 calories each.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Trader Joe’s most popular appetizer has only 45 calories for two creamy and delicious tablespoons!

One Potato Two Potato

This  hearty GRATIN  side dish will only set you back 150 calories for a one cup serving. Two types of potatoes, two types of mushrooms and two types of cheese will make this creamy, easy to heat up side dish a hit at your holiday table.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

This savory creamy side dish has only 130 calories per one-cup serving! it contains hearty broccoli and tender cauliflower (they make up 50% of the dish!) roasted and cocooned in a velvety, buttery sauce, then blanketed with a crust of Mozzarella & Grana Padano cheese. OMG!

Holiday Vegetable Hash

This has all the flavors of the season already cleaned and chopped up for you! Its got small dices of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, red onions, and celery, accompanied by a flavorful and fragrant herb-trio of parsley, sage, and rosemary. A beautiful, low calorie, fastened easy side or add to a holiday soup.

Colorful Carrot Coins

A beautiful array of colorful carrots that are perfectly seasoned. An excellent side to dish to your holiday meal. Ready in minutes and just 90 calories per cup!

Creamed Greens

Think of Trader Joe’s Creamed Greens as a twist on creamed spinach, with Brussels sprouts as the flavor focal point. Rich, creamy, hearty, and delicious, it’s fully cooked before being frozen, so it’s ready to heat and eat in minutes. For a holiday dinner-worthy presentation, plate it on your favorite serving dish and top with crunchy breadcrumbs and savory bacon. Just 130 calories for a generous 1 cup serving 

Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars

THINK Girl Scout Thin Mints with sprinkles. And you can have 13 of these adorable, insanely delicious cookies for just 130 calories!!! Consider getting a storage unit and stocking up as they are only available for a short time!!!

Mini Peppermint Meringues

These are amazing and you shouldn’t go through the season without having them! Just 80 calories for 11 meringues ..plenty to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth without breaking the calorie bank!

These products help me make my holidays easy and delicious! Some of these items are seasonal and only available for a limited time so hop on over to your local Trader Joe’s and try some of my favorites this holiday season.

The post My Favorite Trader Joe’s Holiday Products 2020 appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.