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Enjoy The Holidays Without
Gaining Weight
The holiday season is undoubtedly a time for rejoicing.
Unfortunately, the average adult does a little too much celebrating during this
time of year, which leads to extra baggage when the New Year rings in.
Festivities that include indulging in extra helpings, snacking on seasonal
treats, and little to no workout time all contribute to the increase in dieters
in January. So, this holiday season buck the trends and avoid the Seasonal Seven
(the average weight most of us will gain between Thanksgiving and the New Year).
That's one trend you don't want to participate in!
Even though this time of year may bring upon additional stresses and
challenges, there are ways to find balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Though at times it may seem impossible to bypass the season's traditional foods,
there are many ways to partake in the fun without increasing your pant size. The
festivities don't have to be eliminated or avoided. You can have a fabulous time
while also maintaining your weight and your fitness regimen.
Moderation is the word of the season. It's the secret to achieving a fun but
also healthy holiday time. With a moderate approach both to what you eat (or
don't eat) and how much exercise you do (or don't do), you can avoid packing on
weight AND also partake in all the fun of this time of year. So this season, get
a head start on the New Year instead of starting January with extra pounds to
lose.
Here are some tips to help you during those hectic holiday weeks:
Create a plan ahead of time. Before the holidays sneak up on you,
create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily
routine. Evaluate your holiday schedule and then determine how much time you
will realistically have available to devote to working out. If you work in
an office setting be prepared for the deluge of guilty treats your co-workers
and other business associates will graciously want to share. Stash your own
healthy snacks in your desk so you won't be
tempted to overindulge when your grumbling stomach demands a 3:00 snack time.
Don't put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If
you
can't exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust
appropriately. Don't use the excuse that since you don't have time for your full
workout you just won't workout at all. Instead accept your limited availability
and simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your exercise. It's much
better to cut your fitness time in half than to completely eliminate it.
When attending a holiday function, try to eat ahead of time to lessen your
hunger. If the party is in the evening, eat breakfast, lunch and a snack before
hand (just as you would on any other day). Since you have eaten meals earlier
in the day, you'll be less tempted to go overboard and eat everything in sight.
However, if you instead starve all day long attempting to "save up" all your
calories for the party, you will be so famished by the time it begins that it
will be difficult not to overeat. Schedule your workouts. Mark them on the
calendar and set-aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any
other appointment or event you have marked on your calendar. At holiday dinners,
skip the gravy, dressings, and high-calorie condiments. On days that you really
lack motivation or simply do not have time for your complete exercise routine,
commit to do just 10 minutes of exercise. You'll probably end up doing more than
that once you get started. Even if you only end up completing 10 minutes, that
is still a lot better than zero minutes. When at a party, scout out
healthy food options rather than doing a grab and run on all the unhealthy
selections. For example, vegetable sticks (without dip), fruit pieces, plain
chicken pieces, etc. Then move on to some of the less healthy (but yummy)
offerings. You will be less likely to overindulge on these foods if you have
already filled-up on some of the healthier items. Yet, you will not feel
deprived or unsatisfied.
.
Exercise at home. You'll be more inclined to follow-through
on your
exercise commitment if you don't have to drive somewhere to do your workout.
Plus, you won't waste any time on driving, parking, the locker room or waiting
to use equipment. Working out at home requires very little equipment (it even
can be equipment-free) and is quite inexpensive. Avoid wasting calories on
alcoholic beverages. The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per
glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and you've drunk the equivalent calories of an
entire meal. If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely. For example,
instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with
sparkling water or with a diet soda. This will help cut your calories in half.
When running errands or shopping, be sure to pack some healthy
snacks to have on-hand. Then after you work-up a big appetite, you won't be
tempted to grab something at the mall food court or the fast food restaurant on
the way home.
Don't linger at the buffet or in the kitchen. If you loiter
in close proximity to all the guilty temptations, you'll struggle to keep
fromunconsciously shoveling food into your mouth. Focus on socializing.
Remember one of the great things about the holidays is spending time with
friends and family. During get-togethers spend the majority of time sharing
conversation instead of sharing desserts.
Hopefully these tips will help you find a balance between staying fit and
also enjoying the fun of the season. Remember, moderation is the key. Have a
great holiday season!
About the author: Lynn Bode is a certified personal trainer specializing in
Internet-based fitness programs. She founded Workouts For You, which provides
affordable online exercise programs that are custom designed for each
individual. Visit:
http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout. Fitness
professionals take your business online, visit:
http://www.trainerforce.com
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