Staying Fit Through the Holidays!
By: Alexandra Cone of www.wholesomelydelicious.com
The holiday season is quickly approaching and if there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that holiday eating can be a scary thought! There are so many parties and family get-togethers, all revolving around delicious and usually unhealthy foods. Fear not, with a few tips and tricks we can navigate through the holiday season and still be able to fit into our jeans come January. I have three simple secrets to keep your health and waistline in check: portion control, moderation, and consistency.
Portion control:
· The next time you start to load up your plate with all of your favorite holiday treats, remember that proper portions are really important for keeping your calorie count in check. Choose your favorite dishes and skip the others. Resist the urge to overload your plates just because the food is there! Visualize these healthy portion sizes:
§ 3 oz chicken or meat – a deck of cards
§ 1 ½ oz of hard cheese – 3 dice
§ 1 serving of fruit or vegetables – the size of a woman’s fist
§ 1 slice of bread – a cassette tape
§ ½ cup of pasta or rice – half of a baseball
Moderation:
· Holiday food is the BEST and you should enjoy yourself with your family and friends. However, you don’t have to eat everything in sight to have a good time. Choose your calories wisely and really enjoy every bite. If you find yourself sneaking a third mini meatball or mini quiche, step away from the appetizers and catch up with a friend instead. You will be happy that you did! Don’t waste your calories on foods that aren’t worth eating just because you are sitting in front of them!
· Holidays are full of joy, not deprivation. No foods are completely off limits, but some foods do need to be limited! Remember that you will have another opportunity to eat that homemade cake; you don’t have to have two slices in one day. When you want to indulge, try having two bites of a decadent dish or dessert instead of a full serving. You might surprise yourself and see that two bites will satisfy your craving.
Consistency:
- Truthfully speaking, this might not be the best time to plan a big weight loss, but it should be a time for consistent exercise! Consistency with exercise is the key to staying fit and keeping off excess weight. Sorry to burst your bubble, but going for a run once a month will not change your body! Resist the urge to push off exercise until after the New Year. If you want to keep your fitness in check, not to mention ward off holiday stress, you have to be consistent. Try to fit in aerobic and cardio exercise at least 3-4 times a week and strength training a minimum of 1-2 times a week. Enjoy the crisp weather and take a family walk, or stop by your neighborhood YMCA for a fitness class. Whatever you do, just move!
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