Survive the Holidays Without Gaining Weight
Carla Mangrum on Health and Fitness
We all blame our weight gain on the holidays, with good reason, holiday office parties, bad weather, and eating too many goodies. Most of us find ourselves too busy to exercise during the season, and make poor meal choices because we're stressed or rushed.
Weight gain seems inevitable to lots of people during the holiday season, it's easy to pack on 5-10lbs. during the season. Instead of worrying about calories after the fact, start planning in advance for a healthier holiday season. Many holiday menus can be modified to lower the calorie and fat content, often without noticing the difference in taste:
-Select plain turkey rather than a self basting one and remove the skin before serving
-Refrigerate gravy or pan juices from turkey, The fat will rise to the top allowing you to remove it easy and reduce fat content.
-Make stuffing with lots of vegetables and fruits(celery, onions and cranberries, raisins, apples) instead of breadcrumbs.
-Bake sweet potatoes, instead of serving candied.
-Mash potatoes with chicken broth or skim milk instead of whole milk and butter
-Serve fruit platters in place of high calorie, high fat desserts
-Eat lighter during the day, but don't starve yourself.
-Enjoy the company of others instead of staying close to the food table.
-When eating choose foods in moderation.
-Be open to healthier recipes particularly those with less fat and cholesterol.
-Take up outdoor activities to burn off those extra calories.
-Use free time to clean house and decorate for the holidays.
-Walk the malls for half an hour before they open.
-Remember, any form of exercise will do wonders this time of year.
The key to holiday eating is to avoid an "all or nothing" mindset. Depriving yourself of certain foods, or feeling guilty when you do enjoy them, isn't part of a healthy eating strategy.
With moderation and conscious meal planning, you can enjoy holiday eating, avoid weight gain, and stay healthy. The holiday season is the most difficult time to try and diet. Attempting to follow a strict eating plan when you're not truly committed can cause you to binge on foods you have eliminated, causing you to gain weight. Focus on maintaining your weight over the holidays by controlling portions, making healthier choices, and getting regular physical exercise. You can get back on track with weight loss when the diet danger zones of November and December have passed.
So , what are you waiting for?...Get Up And Move!....And Merry Christmas!!
Carla Mangrum is a physical fitness expert and professional aerobics instructor.
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