You get caught up in the sparkling lights, the pretty
snow, the shopping frenzy and the fun of the holiday season. Suddenly
you find that managing your weight and sticking to your exercise program
easily slides down to the bottom of your priorities this holiday
season. After all, sampling sweet treats and browsing for the perfect
gift can easily distract you from the treadmill.
With a little bit of planning, you can move more in
December and keep those extra pounds for Santa. So watch the ball drop
on December 31 and know you don’t have to spend January undoing the
damage you did this month...with these tips.
Get moving Food isn’t always the enemy,
lack of activity is. Remember calories in versus calories out. Hop on
the treadmill during your favorite holiday TV shows. Park farther away
at the mall and take the stairs with your packages. Better yet, get your
workout done in the morning instead of being derailed by evening
holiday hoopla.
Select healthy first Really stick to
consuming your five fruits and vegetables each day—keeping nourished
with healthy food helps avoid those excess sugar highs and energy lows
that can make you tired and depressed.
Try the one-a-day program Limit yourself
to one indulgence per day. Don’t deprive yourself of all sugar for three
days so you can pig out at the company holiday party. Be moderate in
your thought process: one cookie, one candy, one eggnog, not one of
everything all at once.
More from Prevention: What "Moderation" Really Means
Control the risk for temptation Don’t
walk through the break room at work 10 times a day when you know it’s
filled with treats and candies. Don’t place treats on your kitchen
counter or on your coffee table to stare you in the face. Know yourself
and your weaknesses so you can more easily avoid them.
Never go to a party hungry One of the
worst things you can do is starve yourself before a holiday party in a
misguided effort to save up your calories. The hungrier you are, the
less capable you are of staying in control. Avoid the grazing mentality
at parties: take a plate and fill it only once with appetizers.
Exercise in small bursts Break up your
exercise throughout the day to reach 30 minutes per day. Try two
15-minute walks or a 30-minute shopping outing with some extra lifts of
those packages you're carrying.
More from Prevention: 17 Reasons To Get Off The Couch
Escape the couch Step away from the
living room, and invite family and friends to get active. Choose gifts
that encourage venturing outdoors, such as sleds, skates, or snowshoes.
Get out and power walk to see the neighborhood holiday lights.
Be careful of liquid calories Holidays
are notorious for tempting us with drinks we wouldn’t normally consume.
Alcohol offers no nutrients, just empty calories! Eggnog coffee drinks
with whipped cream, hot toddies, and spiced rum can have as many
calories as a personal pan pizza! Opt instead for sparkling water with a
splash of fruit juice of your choice.
Set your own limits Many times we eat
foods or have seconds just to please the hostess or cook. Politely say
“No thank you. Everything looks delicious, but I think I’ve reached my
limit!”
Focus on socializing, not food Go to a
party to socialize, not just eat. Use your energy making conversation
rather than focusing on food. 'Tis the season for friends and family,
after all, and conversation is calorie free!
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