Staying on Track During the Holidays

The holidays are here and I know that I have been guilty of thinking that I can’t lose weight at this time of the year.  In fact, this is the time that I will gain weight.  How can I not with all the delicious temptations jumping into my hands at every corner?  My co workers bring in their treats that they bake or buy; the numerous potlucks and parties that come up and just the general festive mood of the season make food much more readily available. This makes it very difficult for staying on track during the holidays! (I married into a large family and at one time, I counted at least one birthday in every month of the year – and we celebrated with a monthly potluck!!  Thank goodness we don’t do this now, but it did take its toll.  But I digress…)

So how do we avoid falling off this track?  I have found that I need a plan in place so I will be prepared to not indulge.  Here’s a few tips that have helped me:

– Don’t party on an empty stomach.  You know how it is when you go hungry…you tend to scarf everything up without a care when you do get around food.
– Keep alcohol to a minimum.  These are empty calories and don’t really fill you up anyway.  Then if you are drinking alcohol on an empty-stomach….well, that’s double disaster cos you will be tipsy and then won’t care what and how much you eat!
– Decide ahead of time how much you’re going to eat once you get to a party/potluck/restaurant, etc.  If you plan, then you won’t be tempted to overeat.  I have been known to just take a tablespoon or bite of each thing just so I can taste what I want and not feel like I deprived myself.
– Don’t starve all day before attending a get together.  Again, you will tend to binge once you get there.  In fact, eat something healthy before you go to a party, then you won’t mindlessly snack all evening.  Eat something with protein.  A quick Shakeology shake will do the trick.
– Keep active.  Even 10 minutes of exercise here and there can add up during the day.  Find ways to move more than usual such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away from the building entrance, bike or walk to work or to the store if feasible, do some situps, crunches, squats, lunges or whatever during commercials while watching tv.  Oh, here’s one!  Manually change the channel instead of using the remote lol  I’m sure you can come up with more if you just think about it.
– Drink water.  It will help fill you up.
– Be stress-free (as much as possible).  If you’re an emotional eater, stress will surely be an excuse to eat everything and anything in sight.  There are ways to help prevent stress or to help you destress.  Some examples:

• organize and plan so you’re not rushed or feel overwhelmed
• meditate
• take a bubble bath
• get a massage
• don’t overeat
• exercise or stretch for 5 or 10 minutes
• read for 10 -20 minutes to ‘get away’
• do something nice for someone

Yes, the holidays are here and we can get thru it productively and successfully health and fitness wise.

Mele Kalikimaka!