Healthy Tips for the Holiday Season Raul Aguiar - Tu Decides
go to original November 27, 2012

The holidays are here. That means huge portions of food have followed right behind. Statistics show that the average weight gain during this time is around one to two pounds. So while it’s not as bad as some may think, the possibility of packing on some unwanted vanity pounds and going through several weeks of eating poorly is certainly there.

Feasting on the holidays is almost inevitable, so here’s a few tips to help you through:

Eat Several Small Meals Before: Instead of starving yourself until the big meal, eat several small servings throughout the day. That way, you’ll be less inclined to overindulge at dinner time while keeping your metabolism up.

Drink Plenty of Water: Hydrate yourself well. It’ll help make you feel full and curb your appetite.

Consider Healthy Alternatives: If you’re hosting a dinner or preparing a dish, there’s plenty of healthy options to your regular, holiday favorites. For example, go for the leanest meats and marinate it in its own juices with spices as opposed to glazing it with sauces or use applesauce in your cake or pie recipes instead of butter and oil.

Stay Active: The holidays are a busy time for many people, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop being active. Find time to do your regular workout routine. If you’re visiting family and friends, sneak in some push ups, squats, and planks for a quick, full-body workout. Go for walks. Or motivate those with you to engage in some fun, physical activities. Whatever the case, keep active and keep moving.

Be Realistic About Your Goals: Gaining a few pounds during this time is quite normal. Don’t fret if you stray a bit from your fitness goals. It’s the holidays. You’re with loved ones and you’re having fun. Once it’s over though, it’s back to business.

It’s only a few days - like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day - that we tend to have these grand feasts during the course of the year end. Just make smart choices and keep active on and around those days. There’s no reason why we can live it up during the holidays while still staying true to our fitness goals.

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