 |
| |
| SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Weight Loss & Dieting
How Do I Really Lose Weight?
Enjoy The Holidays Without Gaining Weight
by Lynn Bode, CPT
|
The holiday season is undoubtedly a time for rejoicing. Unfortunately, the average adult does a little too much celebrating during this time of year, which leads to extra baggage when the New Year rings in. Festivities that include indulging in extra helpings, snacking on seasonal treats, and little to no workout time all contribute to the increase in dieters in January.
So, this holiday season buck the trends and avoid the Seasonal Seven (the average weight most of us will gain between Thanksgiving and the New Year). That's one trend you don't want to participate in!
Even though this time of year may bring upon additional stresses and challenges, there are ways to find balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Though at times it may seem impossible to bypass the season's traditional foods, there are many ways to partake in the fun without increasing your pant size. The festivities don't have to be eliminated or avoided. You can have a fabulous time while also maintaining your weight and your fitness regimen.
Moderation is the word of the season. It's the secret to achieving a fun but also healthy holiday time. With a moderate approach both to what you eat (or don't eat) and how much exercise you do (or don't do), you can avoid packing on weight AND also partake in all the fun of this time of year. So this season, get a head start on the New Year instead of starting January with extra pounds to lose.
Here are some tips to help you during those hectic holiday weeks:
- Create a plan ahead of time. Before the holidays sneak up on you, create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily routine. Evaluate your holiday schedule and then determine how much time you will realistically have available to devote to working out.
- If you work in an office setting be prepared for the deluge of guilty treats your co-workers and other business associates will graciously want to share. Stash your own healthy snacks in your desk so you won't be tempted to overindulge when your grumbling stomach demands a 3:00 snack time.
- Don't put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If you can't exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Don't use the excuse that since you don't have time for your full workout you just won't workout at all. Instead accept your limited availability and simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your exercise. It's much better to cut your fitness time in half than to completely eliminate it.
- When attending a holiday function, try to eat ahead of time to lessen your hunger. If the party is in the evening, eat breakfast, lunch and a snack before hand (just as you would on any other day). Since you have eaten meals earlier in the day, you'll be less tempted to go overboard and eat everything in sight. However, if you instead starve all day long attempting to "save up" all your calories for the party, you will be so famished by the time it begins that it will be difficult not to overeat.
- Schedule your workouts. Mark them on the calendar and set-aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any other appointment or event you have marked on your calendar.
- At holiday dinners, skip the gravy, dressings, and high-calorie condiments.
- On days that you really lack motivation or simply do not have time for your complete exercise routine, commit to do just 10 minutes of exercise. You'll probably end up doing more than that once you get started. Even if you only end up completing 10 minutes, that is still a lot better than zero minutes.
- When at a party, scout out healthy food options rather than doing a grab and run on all the unhealthy selections. For example, vegetable sticks (without dip), fruit pieces, plain chicken pieces, etc. Then move on to some of the less healthy (but yummy) offerings. You will be less likely to overindulge on these foods if you have already filled-up on some of the healthier items. Yet, you will not feel deprived or unsatisfied.
- Exercise at home. You'll be more inclined to follow-through on your exercise commitment if you don't have to drive somewhere to do your workout. Plus, you won't waste any time on driving, parking, the locker room or waiting to use equipment. Working out at home requires very little equipment (it even can be equipment-free) and is quite inexpensive.
- Avoid wasting calories on alcoholic beverages. The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and you've drunk the equivalent calories of an entire meal. If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely. For example, instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with sparkling water or with a diet soda. This will help cut your calories in half.
- When running errands or shopping, be sure to pack some healthy snacks to have on-hand. Then after you work-up a big appetite, you won't be tempted to grab something at the mall food court or the fast food restaurant on the way home.
- Don't linger at the buffet or in the kitchen. If you loiter in close proximity to all the guilty temptations, you'll struggle to keep from unconsciously shoveling food into your mouth.
- Focus on socializing. Remember one of the great things about the holidays is spending time with friends and family. During get-togethers spend the majority of time sharing conversation instead of sharing desserts.
Hopefully these tips will help you find a balance between staying fit and also enjoying the fun of the season. Remember, moderation is the key. Have a great holiday season!
# # # # #
Posted: Dec 11, 2004
About The Author / Credits: Lynn Bode is a certified personal trainer specializing in Internet-based fitness programs. She founded Workouts For You, which provides affordable online exercise programs that are custom designed for each individual. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout. Fitness professionals take your business online, visit: http://www.trainerforce.com.
Web Site:
email Address:
|

Get
Instant Relief From Digestive Pain.
Crohn's, Colitis, Ibs, Diverticulitis, Acid Reflux, Diarrhea,
Gerd, Constipation, Gastritis, Heartburn & more. Free Report.
250
Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies
Trusted Expertise. Safe and Effective.
FDA-Registered Facilities.
cGMP Manufacturing Practices.
How
To Lose Weight With The
Most Idiot Proof Method Possible.
Learn The Facts. Dispell The Myths.
Accelerated Fat Loss Diet. Read My Review. How
To Lose Weight Fast + Get Freshly Prepared Meal Plans. Rated
#1 For Best Taste & Nutrition. Personalized
Plan. Live Support. It's The Best Bang For Your Buck.
|
|
How
To Save Your Life! Learn Little-Known Secrets To
Live A Long, Healthy, Pain-Free Life. Your Doctor, Unfortunately,
Has No Incentive To Share These With You.
How
To Purify Your Body & Flush Away The Harmful Toxins Destroying
Your Organs From The Inside Out. This Is The Master
Cleanse Book Everyone Is Raving About. Read My Review.
Quick & Easy
Recipes. I Recommend
You Get This Free eBook. Also Receive Samples, Coupons and Rebates
On Your Favorite Brands + Health Tips & News.
Are
You Paying Too Much For
Health Insurance? Pick & Choose
The
Policy That's Best For You. Great Rates.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
Discover How To
Dramatically Improve
Every Facet Of Your Life
& Feel Like A Champion
- Fast & Effortlessly
- Almost Like Magic
...Starting
NOW!
4-Star, Free
SolveYourProblem
eCourse.
Fast,
Fun & Free.
Get Instant Results!
Are
You Happy
As a Clam
OR
Depressed As Dirt?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Are
You
Relaxed As Rain
OR
Crippled With
Anxiety?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
How
Well Do
You Cope Under
A Steaming
Pile Of Stress?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Spectacular
Self Esteem
OR
Self Love
In The Toilet?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Are
You
Self Empowered
OR
Complete Coward?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Are
You a Thrill
Seeking Risk-Taker
OR
a Total Scaredy Cat?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
How
Financially
Screwed Am I?
- - - - -
- - - - - - - -
[ View
All Quizzes ]

'Hot
10' Channels
For The Past 7 Days:
Resume
Writing
(3,426
views)
Sleep
Remedies
(2,546
views)
Stop
Hair Loss
(2,511
views)
Health
Insurance
(2,394
views)
Setting
Goals
(2,226
views)
Exercise/Workouts
(2,122
views)
Back
Pain Relief
(2,107
views)
Mental
Illness
(1,539
views)
Pregnancy
(1,451
views)
Stress
Relief
(1,360
views)
Top
How-To's
For The Past 7 Days:
HMO
vs. PPO
(1,626
views)
Are
You Experiencing a
Nervous Breakdown?
(1,593
views)
Setting
Career Goals
(1,520
views)
Writing
Your Resume
(1,352
views)
How
To Build
Upper Body Strength
(1,168
views)
Pregnancy
Sleeping Tips
(1,143
views)
Try
An Oatmeal
Remedy For
Itchy Skin
(684
views)
Natural
Hair
Loss Remedies
(669
views)
Diet,
Nutrition &
Vitamins For Hair Loss
(631
views)
Exercises
For
Back Pain : Yoga
(622
views)
Basic
Cover Letter
Template Example
(568
views)
Natural
Sleep Aids
& Remedies
(499
views)
Top
8 Tips
To Improve
Your Personality
(492
views)
Lower
My Cholesterol:
Herbal Homeopathic
Remedies
(490
views)
7
Easy Steps
To Increase Your
Concentration Power
(487
views)
Baby
Noises:
Crying, Cooing
& Talking
(427
views)
How
To Overcome
Loneliness In
5 Steps
(426
views)
The
30 Year Old
Sexual Peak?
(387
views)
|