| People have a hard time with holidays | | | | foods, like broccoli and carrots and |
| and overeating. It's a tough time of | | | | other veggies (careful with the high |
| year for a lot of people, but by | | | | calorie dips!) They also give you that |
| following a few basic tips, you can | | | | "crunch" that is so appealing in a |
| avoid putting on that proverbial | | | | snack! The key is to eat healthy, slow |
| "Holiday Weight". The average amount of | | | | and often. Make healthy decisions. Ask |
| weight gain over the holidays is | | | | if you can bring a dish and make this |
| typically only about 1 pound. However, | | | | the healthy alternative! |
| the winter months can bring on a pound | | | | Tip #4 |
| or two in general and before you know | | | | If you are having dinner and the host is |
| it, your pants are fitting a bit snug. | | | | serving something that is not on your |
| Tip #1 | | | | health plan, politely say "it's not on |
| Avoid thinking that the holidays are a | | | | my eating plan". If you feel that they |
| time to "take a break" from your healthy | | | | would be offended because "it's the |
| diet and exercise routine. Sometimes it | | | | holidays", just say that you are full |
| can be too easy to stay on that break | | | | and thank them graciously. Keep an eye |
| and fall into unhealthy eating habits. | | | | on your portions. |
| Avoid a whole lot of extra calories, | | | | Tip #5 |
| small amounts of foods are best. Don't | | | | Avoid high calorie alcoholic beverages. |
| gorge! It's ok to taste, try different | | | | Stick with club soda as a mixer, add |
| and yummy foods, but take into account | | | | lemon, lime or orange wedges to make it |
| the amount of calories that you are | | | | more festive and add a flavor aroma. |
| ingesting. If you follow a healthy | | | | Light beer or a small glass of wine is |
| eating plan, and know what your goals | | | | best. A lot of holiday drinks can |
| are for your weight it will help to | | | | contain in upwards of 300-500 calories! |
| visualize that. This will keep you in | | | | Tip #6 |
| the right frame of mind. | | | | Don't neglect your workout routine. It's |
| Tip #2 | | | | easier to keep it up than to start it |
| Don't starve yourself before you go to a | | | | again! Find ways to help keep you |
| holiday party or dinner. This usually | | | | motivated during the holidays and winter |
| ends up backfiring, you'll end up | | | | months. Find a site, or a buddy that can |
| overeating because you are so hungry. | | | | keep you on track. Fitnessboard.net is |
| Eat smaller meals throughout the day and | | | | an excellent place to find the support |
| then eat a healthy snack before you | | | | you may need to dialogue and keep your |
| leave for the party. Snack on protein, | | | | motivation. |
| like chicken or some cottage cheese. | | | | Remember, to your body it's just another |
| This will satisfy and help you to avoid | | | | day. Keep up your routine and monitor |
| overeating. | | | | your eating and portions. A healthy |
| Tip #3 | | | | attitude will keep you in a healthy |
| Eat a lot of low calorie, high fiber | | | | state of mind. |