The key to not packing on the pounds during the holidays is moderation! Here are some tips to keep your health and fitness goals on track:
- Be sure to have a plan that incorporates 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 and/or eating healthy meals. Schedule your workout on the calendar and treat it like any other not-to-be-missed appointment.
- If you can’t exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your exercise to fit in. It’s much better to cut your fitness time in half than to completely eliminate it.
- On the day of a party, be sure to eat regularly during the day. If the party is in the evening, eat breakfast, lunch and a snack before hand (just as you would on any other day). An apple or other fruit is a great snack because it’s good for you and the water and fiber it contains, fill you up. Since you have eaten meals earlier in the day, you probably will find that you aren’t tempted to go overboard and eat everything in sight. However, if you 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 you’ll most likely over-eat.
- When at a party, start by eating some of the healthy offerings. For example, vegetable sticks (without dip), fruit, plain chicken strips, etc. Then, if you move on to some of the less healthy (but yummy) offerings, you’ll be less likely to overindulge on these foods since you have already filled-up on some of the healthier items.
- 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 devoting 10 minutes, that’s still a lot better than nothing.
- When presented with a large variety of food options, it’s tempting to want to eat everything. Rather than eating one large slice of chocolate cake or a huge plate of meatballs, select a sampling of bite size pieces of several of the desert or appetizer offerings. This way you get the enjoyment of trying many different foods without overeating.
- Exercise at home. You can either use the BELLYTWINS exercise videos or maybe you have your own regimented routine. 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 (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. 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.
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