Stay Fit during the Holiday Season...

During the holiday season, it is hard to stay in shape and keep off the extra pounds. That is probably why so many people head to the gym as part of their New Year's resolutions! With holiday parties to go to and special goodies lying around the office, it is hard for even the most dedicated health nut to avoid the extra calories that tend to rack up during this time of year. However, you can stay a step ahead of the crowd if you just follow these simple tips…

1.      Keep walking. It's tempting to ditch your workouts as your days fill up with holiday preparations, parties and errands, but now more than ever, you need to stay active. Exercise will help you deal with added stress and give you energy for everything you need to accomplish. It will also help you manage your weight through the maze of parties and gatherings you'll be attending. The holiday season is a great time to get in your extra walking miles. Instead of trying to find the closest parking space, head to the back of the parking lot and use that as an opportunity to walk away some of those extra pounds!

2.      Make it a family affair. As you get together with your family, plan active things to do. Walk around the neighborhood to look at holiday decorations. Play football before the big meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Plan contests with the kids to see who can run the farthest or who can do the most push-ups.  Take a pre-dinner walk with the family or the dog. Go to the park and play ball.

3.      Stay hydrated. During the holidays, it is easy to consume more alcohol and other caloric beverages than usual. Drink a lot of water and limit the amount of liquor you drink. Remember that alcohol has almost as many calories per gram as fat. When you drink water during the day, it will suppress your appetite so you can eat less at a party.

4.      Eat Before You Go. Rules to live by: never go grocery shopping while hungry, and similarly, never hit a holiday party on an empty stomach. You'll be less tempted to overindulge if your belly's full of something healthy.

5.      Choose One Treat. Once at the party, choose one thing to indulge in and make it good. Pick something you only get during the holidays while still keeping in mind, moderation.

6.      Don't Skip Meals. It's tempting to skip meals to make up for whatever nightmare food you'll eat later, but just like the empty-stomach rule, if you're starving, your rational mind will be unavailable for healthy food choices. Eat small meals all day to avoid going nuts at the buffet table.

However you deal with the holidays, make this the year that you don't gain extra weight. Make a decision to do everything you can to stay active and eat healthy while not depriving yourself of all the fun. Like everything else in life, it's all about moderation. Happy Holidays!