Holiday Tips

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

The radio stations are already playing Christmas music. The stores have had holiday decorations up for two months. The marketing on television has begun, so we might as well talk about surviving and thriving the season ahead.

Here are my Top 10 Holiday Season Survival Tips:

1. When attending parties or family meals take something healthy to eat, for example I like taking a veggie tray with a healthy dip. If you're in the mood for something sweet, take fruit. Everyone loves to have a healthy option but sometimes they don't think of it when planning the meal.

2. During the season stay focused and committed to your weight loss or maintenance. If you feel that losing weight over this time is too hard, then plan on not gaining any weight and just maintaining during these months. Once January comes around you can start back with your weight loss or healthy eating plan with gusto.

3. Remember that this season is not just about eating. It is also about having time with family and friends, celebrating your faith and making time to relax.

4. Be as active as you can during the months ahead, so that if you do eat too much you can burn it off. Walk, walk, walk, i.e. unload the groceries/presents one bag at a time, park as far away from the building as you possibly can, or walk around your house during commercials. I'm not kidding people - this works!

5. Stay as hydrated as possible. A lot of times we mistake dehydration for hunger. Plus your skin will look great!

6. Eat in moderation, for example one cookie, a small piece of Christmas cake and a small handful of nuts is the way to go on the 25th. Overeating will mean weight gain. Remember that piece of pecan pie (my favorite) has 450 calories and 20 grams of fat! Ugh!

7. If you are given a box of chocolates as a gift then don’t open on your own - instead have them when you have lots of visitors and can share them around. Tis the season for giving:)

8. Give leftovers from Christmas Day to your visitors to take home. You don’t want all of those cookies hanging around to tempt you.

9. Plan for the indulgence. You know you're going to want some of Grandma's fruit cake, or Aunt Sally's cookies. Let yourself have a small slice or a cookie. Enjoy it and be satisfied.

10. Be kind to yourself and you will find it so much easier to get back on track in the new year. Give yourself the gift of rest. The presents you buy don't have to be perfect. The tree doesn't have to be perfect. You don't have to be perfect. Enjoy yourself and the season.