Healthy Holiday Tips
The holiday season is in full swing! The winter weather is here. The delicious holiday sweets and treats have arrived, and there’s no end in sight. We’re here to share healthy holiday tips that will help you maintain your figure, not let the bulge take over your belly and keep you feeling good, not stuffed and lethargic.
STAY ACTIVE
Exercise is even more important during the holiday season. We all need to be active at least four to five times a week. Luckily, the holidays keep us busy and moving. Activities and chores such as grocery shopping, cleaning the house, holiday shopping and cooking keep us active.
Did you know?
- You can work out harder in the cold weather – which means you can burn even more calories too.
- You’re more likely to stick with walking than any other exercise!
- Just 30 minutes of walking a day can improve your circulation, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and help you lose weight.
The weather may be cold outside, but the cooler weather offers additional fun for the family, too:
- sledding
- skiing or snowboarding
- ice-skating
- walking around the neighborhood, checking out your neighbors holiday lights
- instead of watching football on the television, go outside and play a game of flag football
- instead of playing a board game, play an interactive game
This holiday season eat mindful, not mindless. Mindless eating is consuming food just because it’s there. It’s eating while distracted – watching TV, working at a computer or smartphone – it’s eating for emotional comfort instead of for hunger.
- Don’t skip meals – arriving to the party starved, may result in overeating and overindulging.
- Weigh yourself daily – and use that number to guide your actions.
- Include lots of seasonal, colorful fruits and veggies on your plate – you decorate for the holidays with lots of colors, treat your plate the same way. Fruit and vegetables will add flavor and nutrients to holiday favorites, and they help you feel fuller longer, so you will avoid overindulging.
- Downsize your plate – trick your brain into thinking you’re eating more and eat from a smaller plate.
- Pour wisely – be mindful of all the extra calories in holiday cocktails. When pouring, count 1-2-3 when pouring to get an estimated 5-ounce serving.
- Savor foods you truly enjoy and pass up on those that don’t really interest you.
To hear more healthy holiday tips, tune into Inside Sports Medicine on 97.1 The Ticket this Sunday, November 26 from 8am – 9am.
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Sources: Mayo Clinic, Huff Post, Eat Right