10:08 AM
It's estimated that Americans gain an average of seven pounds during the holiday season, beginning at Thanksgiving and continuing this little food fest until New Years. Unless you want to count yourself among the millions who wake up on January 1, vowing to kick your chubby butt in gear, practice some simple steps at all your holiday parties to keep your weight under control.
1. Eat before the party. That doesn't mean eat a four-course meal and then go partying. That means eat a small, healthy snack at home. Some suggestions: fresh fruit, yogurt, whole wheat bagel, rice cakes, a couple of peanut butter crackers.
2. Eat the healthy stuff first. When the hors d'oeuvres trays start coming, reach for the fresh fruits and vegetables first. Make these healthy snacks the base of your party consumption and you may find yourself too full for too much chocolate.
3. Don't stand next to the food all night. We've all this person at parties. He or she guards the food table like the Snack Police. Don't let this be you. You're at the party to mingle, make new connections, have fun! So talk to people you know and introduce yourself to some you don't know. Leave the Snack Police job to someone else.
4. Eat goodies in moderation. Let's face it-part of the fun of the holidays is all the treats. Office parties, private parties, family gatherings...yummy food is everywhere. Because it's such a special time of year, I wouldn't feel right advising anyone to deprive themselves, but eat these goodies in moderation. Instead of gobbling down a brownie, a Christmas cookie and a huge mug of eggnog, decide which one you want the most. Select a small portion and relish every bite. You might not even end up eating the whole thing. If you do, don't beat yourself up about it.
1. Eat before the party. That doesn't mean eat a four-course meal and then go partying. That means eat a small, healthy snack at home. Some suggestions: fresh fruit, yogurt, whole wheat bagel, rice cakes, a couple of peanut butter crackers.
2. Eat the healthy stuff first. When the hors d'oeuvres trays start coming, reach for the fresh fruits and vegetables first. Make these healthy snacks the base of your party consumption and you may find yourself too full for too much chocolate.
3. Don't stand next to the food all night. We've all this person at parties. He or she guards the food table like the Snack Police. Don't let this be you. You're at the party to mingle, make new connections, have fun! So talk to people you know and introduce yourself to some you don't know. Leave the Snack Police job to someone else.
4. Eat goodies in moderation. Let's face it-part of the fun of the holidays is all the treats. Office parties, private parties, family gatherings...yummy food is everywhere. Because it's such a special time of year, I wouldn't feel right advising anyone to deprive themselves, but eat these goodies in moderation. Instead of gobbling down a brownie, a Christmas cookie and a huge mug of eggnog, decide which one you want the most. Select a small portion and relish every bite. You might not even end up eating the whole thing. If you do, don't beat yourself up about it.
5. Watch your alcohol consumption. We tend to eat more when we feel relaxed and happy. Set a limit on drinks-two is a good number; three an absolute max. Otherwise, you may wake up the next day and find a YouTube video of yourself dancing on a tabletop while wearing a lampshade on your head. And nothing else.
6. Exercise. I know, you're busy. How can you possibly fit exercise in a crowded schedule? While you might not be able to keep up a full workout routine, don't abandon it altogether. If you're not done Christmas shopping, slip some sneakers on your feet and walk the mall at a brisk pace in between stops. If you don't have time for a 30-minute exercise session, do 10 minute intervals, three or four times a day. You do have 10 minutes, don't you?
6. Exercise. I know, you're busy. How can you possibly fit exercise in a crowded schedule? While you might not be able to keep up a full workout routine, don't abandon it altogether. If you're not done Christmas shopping, slip some sneakers on your feet and walk the mall at a brisk pace in between stops. If you don't have time for a 30-minute exercise session, do 10 minute intervals, three or four times a day. You do have 10 minutes, don't you?
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