The holiday season can be a very difficult and challenging time for some, especially when it comes to maintaining your weight and fitness goals. We all want to enjoy the holiday festivities with our family and friends without feeling guilty and derailing our progress; however, we must face the inevitable. From your job, to your home, and everywhere in between, you will be faced with tempting dishes, delectable desserts and plenty of drinks, so here are a few tips to keep you on track.
• Exercise: I know this is a busy time of the year; however, now is not the time to stop exercising. Do something to maintain your momentum and burn off those extra calories. If you don't have time to go to the gym, find something you can do at home, like an exercise video or walking. For those of you that do not have an exercise program, why not use this holiday season to get one started? This is certainly not the time to try to lose weight; however, getting started with a small exercise program is an awesome step to preparing for the New Year.
• Know when you've had enough: Do not stuff yourself. When you feel full and satisfied...STOP EATING! Remember to eat in moderation.
• Healthy Cooking: If you are preparing a meal or dish, include healthy dishes. Replace some of those not so healthy ingredients with healthy ingredients - for example, use olive oil instead of other oils, and low sodium broths instead of regular broths. Make conscious decisions! Don't forget to include healthy cooking methods, like baking, broiling and steaming.
• Healthy Eating: Don't fill your plate up with an excess of high calorie foods; instead select some low calorie foods, in addition to plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Say "No": Don't feel obligated to say yes to every dish that is offered to you. If you have reached your limit and you're not hungry...SAY NO!
• Say "No" to Late Night Eating: It's 11:00pm and you can't sleep because you are thinking about those delicious left-over's in the refrigerator. STOP!!! Eating a heavy meal and trying to go back to sleep is not healthy. This is a sure way to pack on the pounds. Make sure you are consuming your heavy meals early enough that you are able to burn off the calories.
• Don't Starve yourself/Don't Skip Meals: I've seen this time and time again where people starve themselves or skip meals in order to eat a big meal. This can not only make you sick; but it can cause you to over-eat. Remember to eat small meals and/or healthy snack throughout the day. This will help you to taste and enjoy your big meal that you've been saving up for.
• Limit Your Alcohol Intake: Most alcohol beverages are high in calories and hold no nutritional value, so they are considered empty calories. Consuming a lot of alcohol can also cause you to over-indulge with your food intake. Remember moderation is the key.
• Limit your Desserts: Have you seen those individuals that get a small piece of every dessert on the table? Are you one of them? STOP!!! I can't stress moderation enough when it comes to desserts. Try choosing low-fat desserts and don't forget that natural sweetness of fresh fruits.
• Prepare your mind for the holiday season. You know you will be surrounded by plenty of food, so establish a game plan. If you know you are having a big meal for Thanksgiving, why not eat healthy sensible meals up to that day?
It's not my quest to be the holiday day scrooge. You can still enjoy the holiday season and maintain your weight and fitness goals. All it takes is a little DISCIPLINE. Have A Fit Holiday Season!
Resource Box: Are you ready to break those bad habits and finally love the body you're in? Follow MAJOR Fitness Trainer™ Denese Major Bellamy for a "sensible" wellness plan at http://www.major-fitness.com. You'll get weekly MAJOR Fitness tips & techniques, plus articles and videos to help you on your journey to truly loving your body!
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