Staying Fit During the Holidays
How to Stay in Shape During This Holiday Season
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the most tempting holidays for those who are trying to lose weight or stay in shape. With the temptation of candy, buttery side dishes, and rich, sugar-laden desserts, most people find that it is easier to give in to temptation than stand their ground. Fear this holiday season no longer, and review these helpful hints to keep from making the same mistakes as last year.
Just Say "No"
It seems simple enough, but when offered a piece of Aunt Myrtle's famous pumpkin pie, it is hard to pass up. Ask yourself if it something you really want to indulge in. Would you rather have a piece of pumpkin pie, or would you rather save your indulgence for your absolute favorite dessert - or possibly trade it in for a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and a sugar cookie. Just because it is offered or because it is on the table, doesn't mean you have to eat it. Talk yourself through it (even if it sounds silly!) and save it for something you really want.
Alter Your Favorite Recipes
Think of your favorite holiday dishes. Perhaps it is a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes or dressing with your turkey. If you are more of a dessert person, it might be pumpkin pie or chocolate dipped pretzels. With healthy eating on the rise, there are plenty of options to make your holiday choices health-conscious. Instead of "dipping" pretzels in chocolate, drizzle the chocolate sauce over them. This will still give the satisfaction of the salty-sweet effect, but with fewer calories - and less money.
Love mashed potatoes? Try steaming the potatoes in a pot of water, spraying them with a low-calorie butter spray, mashing them with a fork and slowly adding fat-free milk until creamy. Doing so will save you as much as 75 calories per serving! Do some research before the big meals and offer to bring your new concoction to dinner. A great book to research is Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld which improves favorite recipes and makes them healthy by secretly adding vegetables to the ingredients of dishes like cookies, brownies, and even macaroni and cheese. Healthy eating doesn't have to be bland - there are many swaps out there for many different types of foods.
Go For a Run
Burn some calories and allow yourself a little wiggle room. If you can’t seem to resist those table temptations, get up early and get in a cardio workout. If you can burn an extra 500 calories, who says you should feel guilty about the extra helping and Aunt Myrtle’s pie?
All in all, the holidays should be like any other day. If you were at a potluck on any other day, you would be careful and cautious so why not stick to your plan during the holidays? Five extra pounds for five minutes of eating seems far less appealing if you think of it in those terms. Eat what you want, chew slowly, and savor every bite. Throw in an extra workout and be proud of your accomplishments; it will be one extra gift you can give yourself this holiday season.
Don't Let Holiday Treats Ruin Your Goals
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