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Holiday Tips to Keep You Fit!
- Focus on family and friends. Remember, the holidays are a time to slow down and catch up with your loved ones. Play games, volunteer, or spend time outdoors enjoying the winter weather together. Sign up for a 5k or fitness walk such as a Thanksgiving road race or penguin run with family and friends! Support each other to keep active during the holidays.
- Don't overeat, even though it's a party. Eat slowly, and really savor the flavor of these foods you only eat once a year-take sips in between bites. Make sure you take small portions of everything so that they pan out to be a normal serving size of each food group! If you plan to have a portion of dessert, cut back on another carbohydrate food during the main course. Make sure your portions are reasonable and resist going back for second helpings. Top desserts with fruit or yogurt parfaits to add bulk.
- Remember to eat on a normal routine. Don't skip meals or snacks earlier in the day to "save" calories and carbs for the large holiday feast later on. If you skip meals, it will be harder to keep your blood glucose in control. Also, if you arrive somewhere hungry, you will be more likely to overeat.
- Bring a healthy dish you can fall back on. Don't spend time worrying about what will be served. Offer to bring a healthy dish. It could be a low-sugar or low-fat version of recipe. Bulk up on a huge salad full of vegetables before you eat the main course. Go home empty handed- this way you won't munch on the desserts or snacks later on that evening or next day. Get back to your normal routine!
- Drink in moderation. If you drink alcohol remember to eat something beforehand to prevent low blood glucose levels later. Whether it's a glass of eggnog or red wine, holiday drinks can add a significant amount of calories to your holiday intake. Keep it to no more than 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men.
- Stay active. Make the holidays an active time!
- Off from work or school? Use this extra time to do some physical activity.
- Train for and participate in a local holiday run or walk (like a turkey trot or reindeer run).
- Start a game of pick-up football or play other games in the yard.
- Bundle up and go for a walk with your loved ones after eating a holiday dinner.
- Offer to help clean up after a meal instead of sitting in front of leftover food. This will help you avoid snacking on it and get you moving around!
- If you overindulge, get back on track. If you eat more food than you planned for, don't think you have failed. Stop eating for the night and focus on spending the rest of your time with the people around you. Include extra exercise and get back on track with your usual eating habits the next day.
- Remember the holidays are only 3 days. If you blow your diet in three days, you aren't causing that much damage. You are allowed to enduldge! Just learn your portion sizes and make smart choices. No need to blow a whole diet/ lifestyle change just because you ate a few extra calories. Take a walk and eat healthier the next day.
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