Has this Holiday season been more stressful and or busier than in previous years, or perhaps you are just more aware of your surroundings this year? Either way, has this resulted in you seeing the scale creep upwards during this season? If this has been the case for you so far, well fret not, for this can be preventable for having it go any further and even be reversed. Sure, you are probably thinking the only way for this to happen is to spend excess time at the gym and eating only cabbage while missing out on the festivities of the holidays. I assure you this does not have to be the case, all it takes is consistently engaging in a few examples that I am about to provide.
Healthier recipes: When many of us think of this time we think of the baked goods, candies and sumptuous holiday meals. Yes, this is what accounts for a great deal of over indulging in calories and fat over the season, it can at the same time be healthy if done properly. No, this doesn't mean you have to give all of your favorite recipes up. Instead revisit your favorite recipes and see how you can cut out some of the unnecessary calories and fats from the ingredient list. Is it necessary to use all of the sugar that is called for those baked goods or can you even replace them with say a more natural sweetener such as a banana or fruit paste? Instead of using the pounds of butter and creams use more healthful ingredients such as reduced fat replacements. Who says salt is necessary for enhancing all that flavor? Perhaps emit the use of salt from the ingredients and use other spices to liven the dish. If participants feel the dish needs salt, let them be the ones to control their own amounts. When preparing menus why not emit some of the lesser popular rich recipes and incorporate more of the unadulterated vegetables and fruits to help compliment the meal and offset the impact of the other choices.
Fluids: Sure this time of year often equates to the abundance of hot chocolate, spiced cider, eggnog and festive cocktails. While they may be fun to drink, often the long term outcomes lessen the short term enjoyment. That in addition to perhaps a increased amount of stress during this season can weaken our immune system. This is why it is so important to not forget to get in plenty of water. Yes, perhaps you are not finding yourself sweating as much as say you do in the summer, but that does not mean we do not need just as much hydration to maintain proper performance. Carrying around a bottle or two of water is a great way to ensure the ease of proper accessibility to adequate fluids. Since it is the holidays why not liven that bottle up with either a slice of lemon, lime, orange and or grapefruit to make it just even more festive. I won't deny this may take a little extra effort, but believe me it will make a difference not only in weight management but also daily performance.
Fight the potato: No, I am not speaking about the vegetable. I am talking about spending long periods of time being inactive. This time of year often equates to excessive holiday specials, events and sporting being programed. All of this choice usually means sitting for long periods, perhaps pushing aside your normal time for exercising. Well, who says you can not watch the special programing and still get in some type of activity? Perhaps you tape the show and play it back, giving you the ability to fast forward through all of those pesky commercials. If you are not able to do that why not use the breaks as a time to do small bouts of activity? Perhaps that means jog in place, engage in some push ups, jumping jacks, or make it crazy and dance in place. Keeping a consistent active approach is also a fantastic way to help reduce the effects of any excess stress, as exercise releases endorphins that help stimulate mood and energy.
Beat the travel: Many of us will find ourselves traveling this season, meaning we will find ourselves fighting high numbers of crowds, the mercy of delays and most times self reasoning for unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. Perhaps you are not able to change the crowds or delays but there is no reason for you to fore go eating healthy and or exercising. Pack easy healthy snacks to bring with you and use any waiting time to move around and get some type of activity in. Not only can this help you feel better it can even help other uncontrollable environmental situations be less aggravating.
Sleep is your friend: The lack of sleep often results in not only being short tempered the next day, it can also trigger unconscious eating. Often a overlooked scenario for weight management, adequate rest also helps keep a strong immune system. Great for warding off viruses, especially if you find yourself traveling or around larger crowds. That is why it is important to try to maintain your regular sleeping habits or even try to get in a nap during the day. Believe me you and your body will thank you in the end.
Whether you find yourself engaging in one or all of these suggestions during this festive season, ultimately you taking a strong stance against your health and enabling yourself to enjoy the holidays just that much more. In the end when everyone else is creating their New Year's resolutions, just think you will be just that much further ahead of them. All because you took what might be small but yet effective steps during the holiday season against staying healthy. None of these suggestions require you to deprive yourself, they merely challenge you to rethink how you approach this annual time of year. Enjoy yourself and be healthy this holiday season!
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