If you’re someone who always has “lose 20 pounds” on your New Year’s Resolutions list, and you’re doing it because you believe the ever-so-popular saying that you will gain between 5-10 pounds over the holidays — find another reason. The reality is that when it comes to enjoying all things Thanksgiving and Christmas (food-wise), most people really only put on a pound, two at the very most.
Hopefully, that will already take some of the pressure off so that you can enjoy some of your favorite dishes with a bit of ease. At the same time, though, if you want to make sure that you walk into 2025 with as little “extra” as possible, here are some proven holiday eating tips that will help you do it.
How To Enjoy Holiday Meals Without Guilt
1. Enjoy the “Fun Stuff” Earlier in the Day
GiphyC’mon. Let’s not sit here and act like “the fun stuff” isn’t made of mostly carbs because carbs consist of things like starches, dairy, and fruit. And, while we’re here, let’s also not lie to ourselves and pretend that we’re gonna deny ourselves some of the richest dishes and desserts that the holiday season has to offer.
The key to holiday indulgence without guilt is to consume them earlier in the day. That’s when you tend to be more active, your metabolism is higher, and you are better able to digest your food properly. That said, no one told you that you have to go without a slice of sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie — just don’t have three slices at midnight, is all.
2. Sniff Some Mint
GiphyIf self-control is something that you know that you struggle with, here’s a hack that can take some of the stress and pressure off. According to science, if you sniff a bit of essential oil, such as peppermint or spearmint, it can actually help to suppress your appetite naturally. And since mint essential oil can also help with any potential digestion issues that you may have while sitting at your mother's, aunt's, or grandma’s table, that’s even more of a reason to keep some in tow.
3. Have a Glass of Water for One Glass of…Whatever Else
GiphyI once read an article that said that the most fattening drinks of all time include eggnog, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. Well, hell, just bring us down when it comes to all of the delicious holiday-themed drinks, why don’t you? SMDH. Not to mention that pretty much all alcoholic drinks can pack on the calories, too. A trick? Drink a glass of water for every glass of whatever else you plan on throwing back.
It will help to fill your stomach up (so that you don’t overdo it as far as drinks are concerned), make the digestion process easier, keep you hydrated (because alcohol can lead to dehydration), and make it easier for you to sleep once you’re ready to turn in for the evening.
4. Eat Something Healthy Before You Go (Elsewhere)
GiphyIf you already know that you’re going to be eating some food that’s not the healthiest at someone else’s house, try and have a healthy snack before you head out. For one thing, if you’re not starving when you walk through someone else’s door, you won’t just eat everything in sight. Plus, if you consume foods like nuts, seeds, eggs, chickpeas, or even a cup of coffee or some tea, they will help boost your metabolism so that you’ll be able to burn calories quicker and easier later on.
5. Portion Control, Please
GiphyYou really don’t have to deny yourself the foods that bring you joy around this time of year. The key is to implement some form of portion control. You can do this by putting your food onto smaller plates (or eating out of a bowl), using your hands to measure your portions, and not eating “junk food snacks” from a bag or box. For instance, if you’re eating caramel popcorn straight out of a bag, it’s so much easier to consume the entire bag while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or A Christmas Story. Instead, put some into a small bowl, so that you can still have some without going overboard.
6. Focus on Protein-Rich Meals
GiphyA part of the reason why many people who regularly exercise consume things like protein shakes is because it’s been proven that protein helps to do things like satisfy your appetite, lower your body fat, and help you to feel full for a longer period of time. So, as you’re trying to figure out what to indulge in the most, don’t feel bad about having a turkey leg or some potato casserole. Foods high in protein tend to work for you more than they do “against” you.
7. Consume Fibrous Snacks
GiphyAside from the fact that fiber is able to do things like lower your type 2 diabetes and cancer risk and help you eliminate waste more fully and consistently, it’s also beneficial when it comes to controlling your weight and keeping your gut in tip-top shape. And when it comes to what we’re talking about today, fiber can also help you to feel full for a longer period of time, so that you don’t eat more than you want to or should.
So, if you are taking a break from eating before heading towards the dessert table, snack on some popcorn, an apple, a banana, or even some hummus or guacamole with some kale chips. All of these foods are full of fiber, tasty, and will help you to keep your sweet (and carbs) tooth under control.
8. Don’t Take a Break from Exercising
GiphyListen, just because you may be taking a few days off around the holidays, that doesn’t mean that you should go on a vacation as far as your workout routine goes. Indeed, if you want to either lose weight or keep from gaining back the weight that you’ve already lost, many experts say that you need to devote 300 minutes a week to exercise.
And since your body doesn’t know when Thanksgiving and Christmas fall on the calendar, well…stay on that treadmill, stair climber, or whatever is your workout of choice. Oh, and if you’re traveling, at least try to do some lunges and squats or take a walk around the neighborhood after dinner.
9. Avoid Stressing Yourself Out
GiphyAlthough most people say that their stress level increases during the holiday season, around 41 percent claim that it’s higher during this time of the year than any other. When it comes to weight gain, this isn’t something to ignore because stress has the ability to throw your hormone levels off which can lead to high blood sugar levels that can cause you to eat more and pack on more pounds. You know what this means, right? Whatever — or whoever — tends to stress you out around this time of the year? SET. SOME. BOUNDARIES. Your waistline depends on it.
10. Get a Good Night’s Rest
GiphyHoliday parties. Road trips. Staying up all night to wrap presents. Talking to (or arguing with) relatives for hours on end. All of these things, understandably, can lead to a lack of sleep. Just keep in mind that when you are sleep-deprived, you throw your hormones off, increase your appetite, tempt you to eat more, and make it easier for your body to store up abdominal fat. So, at least try to get 5-6 hours in during the holidays. Your metabolism — and health overall — will be so glad that you did. Happy holiday eating, everyone! Literally.
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When I asked a few women I know if they ever tried that before, I was surprised to discover that not only had they, but many didn’t treat it as some random social media fad — they actually still do it to this day. Partly, because it’s fun to them and partly because their partner(s) seem to go crazy for it.
Listen, any time something sexual works like a charm, I’m going to shout it out — (late) trend or not. And so, if you’ve never heard of the whole coconut thing, you tried it and forgot all about it, or you just want to try something new/different/else tonight — here’s a reminder, in article form, that coconut-ting is still alive and well, y’all. And the men are all about it!
But First, The Grapefruit Technique
Video Credit: Myem/YouTube (Funny part starts at 2:40)
If this woman is not familiar to you on sight, you ain’t a real one. LOL. Although I know that a lot of people think that the concept of grapefruiting came from the movie Girls Trip (you can see the clip from the film here) that absolutely is not the case. Auntie Angel (whose real name is reportedly Denise Walker) is the creator of the Grapefruit Technique and although I thought that this video came out way earlier, apparently it made its way onto the YouTube streets sometime back in 2014.
If for some reason, you’re not familiar with grapefruiting on any level, I will tell you right now that I had to download this video because it is absolutely NSFW — so you should probably watch it on your lunch break (on your phone with the volume as low as possible) or at home…because chile, the sound effects? Whew, the sound effects. LOL. However, when I sat down to pen this piece, I thought it was hilarious that this video is what immediately came to mind because it seems like, when it comes to “blow his mind sex hacks,” fruit is constantly on the menu.
When it comes to oral sex, it’s grapefruit.
When it comes to ride ‘em cowgirl, it’s a coconut.
What Is the “Coconut” Sex Trend?
@windy_moraba #duet with @mysteri0us.gir1 spell coconut with your waist 😂😂😂
Okay, so what in the world does a coconut have to do with intercourse? Well, for starters, if you and your partner are looking for an all-natural lubricant, coconut oil works well. HOWEVER, do keep in mind that the disclaimer on this is you shouldn’t use it if condoms are in the mix because they can actually cause rubbers to be less effective (silicone lube is a solid bet for condoms, by the way).
There is another way that coconuts are kinda-sorta incorporated when it comes to making sex more pleasurable — and it actually became pretty popular right after COVID lockdown (2021): spelling C-O-C-O-N-U-T with your hips while you’re on top of your partner.
It’s wild how I forgot all about this until a client of mine was telling me how much her husband liked her on top while it wasn’t her favorite thing to do because it felt awkward to her. When I said, “Have you ever heard of spelling ‘coconut’ with your hips before?” — at first, she looked at me like I was crazy and then she busted out laughing: “Girl, no” was her reply.
Hmph. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it because, as wild as it might sound on the surface, the word isn’t the point so much as the movements that come with spelling it out are.
When you’re moving your pelvis around to make a “c,” “o” or U-turn, not only does it intensify the level of sensation that both you and your partner feel during intercourse, it can also increase the level of blood circulation to both of your genitalia which can make your orgasms more satisfying too.
At the end of the day, spelling “coconut” is simply reminding you that there are more options to riding than simply sitting there while your partner pumps for all he’s worth or you humping up and down like you’re on a pogo stick.
Spelling “coconut” is an easy hack to bring some variety into cowgirling. However…
Honestly, the “Fruit” Isn’t the Point. THIS IS.
GiphyFrom grapefruiting and spelling “coconut” to reading articles that I’ve penned for the platform like “How To Improve The Taste Of Sperm” — fruit and sex are always going to be a winning combination, one way or another. However, the main point of this article isn’t about making sure that you are a master speller so much as providing you with tips that will make the cowgirl position something that you are confident about and you find a ton of fulfillment in doing.
You can make both of these things happen by incorporating the following things:
Stretch beforehand. A charley horse during sex is the worst thing ever — and chile, don’t let it be right before you’re about to climax. SMDH. Yeah, if you want to feel more comfortable when you’re on top, make sure that you stretch beforehand and that you are well-hydrated. That will reduce the chances of experiencing a totally-out-of-nowhere muscle spasm — whether you decide to “spell” during sex or…not.
Bring pillows into the mix. Sometimes riding is a challenge because your partner feels farther away from your body than you would like. Putting a pillow underneath him can help to elevate his pelvis, so that you don’t feel like you’re stretching and straining. Speaking of pillows, a longer one can really come in handy because it can give your knees some additional support as well.
Also, ask him to put his knees up. Speaking of making the “grind” easier for you, ask your partner to put his knees up. That way, your back can recline on his legs as you’re moving your hips around. You’d be amazed how much this one hack can do for you. Straight up.
Add lube. When you get a chance, check out “The Wetter, The Better: 10 Creative Ways To Use Lubricant” and you will automatically see why bringing lubrication into a cowgirl session is an absolute must. It reduces friction. It makes your movements glide with ease. And it’s just more fun. Promise you that.
Lean in. If your partner happens to be on the larger side of life, one way that you can control his depth is by leaning forward into him. That way, your hips can better control how much or little he is inside of you, so that you can get into a position that gives you the sensation that you are looking for.
Get him to multitask. Again, whether you are spelling “coconut” or not and whether you are riding cowgirl or reverse cowgirl — something that is awesome about being on top is it frees your partner’s hands to do, umm, other things. And since it is so much easier to have an orgasm while your clitoris is being stimulated, get your partner to put some of the lube that we discussed earlier on his fingertips, so that he can gently rub on your clitoris while you are riding him. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Don’t wanna spell? Hula Hoop then. What if you try the whole coconut thing and it’s not a favorite for you (or him)? No problem — when’s the last time that you hula hooped? Pretend that you have one of those around your hips and move around that way. I’d be shocked if you ended up feeling “meh” about that option.
5 Guys Tell Me What They Love When Their Partner Is on Top
GiphyA part of the reason why I am “team cowgirl” is because it provides a lot of benefits to the woman: she has more control, it tends to be more comfortable for her, it’s a great position for a quickie and the orgasms tend to be that much more — wonderful. However, as I was thinking about spelling coconut, in general, I couldn’t help but wonder what guys thought about it and the cowgirl position overall.
If you’re curious, here’s what five of ‘em said.
1. Braxford. Engaged. 35. “Y’all be spelling up there? Who knew? My favorite thing about when my fiancée is on top is what I think every man likes: the view. It’s a chance to see her entire body and experience it at the same time. Not even doggy style accomplishes that. Damn, where’s my lady at?”
2. Denez. Single. 42. “Do you know how many ‘spots’ you have access to when y’all are on top? Breasts are in my mouth. Hickeys are on her neck. Prop my head up on a pillow and her tummy is getting licked. When a woman is riding you, it’s sensory overload! It’s crazy how each one looks amazing in that position too.”
3. Omar. In a Serious Relationship. 29. “[He said her name yet I’m not going to share it] isn’t a very vocal lover. Her body and technique are insane, so even though I love dirty talk, I’ve learned to compromise — except when she’s on top. She’s not saying much but those moans? And yeah, we tried the coconut thing. ‘Cs’ and ‘Os,’ hell yeah. ‘Ns’ and “Ts’? Nah.”
4. Nolen. Single. 45. “45 isn’t old but it’s old enough for your back to show out on you when you least expect it. My experience has been that women don’t want a lot of thrusting when they are on top, so it’s like having some of the best sex without having to do much at all. Well, aside from trying not to bust too quickly. I take that back: riding is easy on the body; it’s work on the brain.”
5. Ivan. Married. 37. “I like the spelling sh-t because it switches things up. We make a game out of it by her picking a word and spelling out while I try and guess what it is. We also try to see how many words that we can get to before one of us cums. 12 words is pushing it unless it’s like ‘dog’ or ‘cat’ or something. I’ve guessed ‘coconut’ a few times and I get what the excitement is all about. Spelling bee sex: try it.”
Yep. I concur.
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