Why, yes, dah-lin, my nutritionist hat is blue.
With Thanksgiving 2010 now a mere memory, we can expect the plethora of holiday treats all around us to multiply – from the parties held by families and friends, to the casual breakroom get togethers, to those once-a-year specialities. Surviving all of the fetes with minimal to no damage to your waistline can be quite a feat. Last week, the kind folks at KHTV asked me don my nutritionist hat to share how we can beat the bulge through the holidays. In case you missed it, here are my tips wrapped up here.
Dahling all I want for Christmas is health ( and a few more happy pills)
Plan to MOVE
Know the special events on your schedule. Will you be dashing from work to a holiday party? Will you be eating or drinking a few more glasses of punch or wine than a normal night? If so, then it is more important than ever to keep up your exercise routine. Make exercise a priority in your holiday schedule. It not only will help you keep that trim waistline, it will also help to defuse any holiday tension.
At the office, take the stairs as much as possible. Let’s face it, when Suzy Cream Puff brings in her great grandmother’s world famous divinity, are you really going to say, “no, thank you”? Probably not. If you have ADDED taking the stairs to your usual exercise routine, then you can help offset those extra calories. ( not to mention, you’ll get a headstart - You’ll own that stairwell when all those mamby jamby resolutionists arrive in January) . For those of you not in a formal office building, take the stairs wherever you are - in the mall, at the church, in the hospital and choose a far away parking place. Don’t grumble when someone gets that up close spot. Come 2011, you’ll be fitting in your skinny jeans and you’ll be thankful.
Stairs are glamorous, dah-ling. And look, retail in the distance.
Incorporate new traditions of activity with family or friends. Many towns have holiday races/5ks, sign up to be part of one. Set up a team of friends or family to join you. This is something new I’ve added to my list of holiday cheer this year. I’ve loved talking gifts, shopping, recipes while running with my girlfriends. And I know we are going to be excited when we cross that finish line in a few weeks.
Not up for a race ? Even easier, ask a favorite family member to go on a “walk and talk” to catch up after or before your holiday meal (s).
Did Aunt Gladys really bring a busload of her grandkids? Let's make a run for it.
Don’t Chug the Calories!
Calories from that extra drink add up. A glass of wine (4 oz) contains the same amount of calories as a cookie. Mixed cocktails and eggnog can contain as many calories as piece of pie or cake. At parties, eating lots of rich foods and consuming more alcohol than usual can easily pack on a pound (3500 calories) in one night / week of over consumption. Also be mindful of how much wine you are being served per glass. A serving size of wine is half a cup (4 oz), today most restaurants are serving 8-12 oz which can be a whopping 300 calories. Most of us wouldn’t reach for ANOTHER dessert at a party. Keep this in mind when you are filling yourself with the spirits of the holiday.
Also think twice about those tasty holiday coffee drinks that show up this time of year. From lattes spiked with pumpkin, eggnog, or peppermint, a medium drink made with 2% milk and whip cream can add up to an extra 500 calories to your day. Some hot chocolates can boast as much if not more calories. They may be in liquid form going down, but too many will show up in a solid jiggle in your middle if you down too many of these a week.
Dah-ling, I really shouldn't. But how can a girl resist a cocktail that matches the couture.
Great NEWS!
If you are reading this article, that is a step in the right direction. Those who are most concerned with gaining weight over the holidays are most successful at beating the bulge. So, keep it up. When attending or hosting a holiday party, offer healthy options such as baked apples for dessert. Try hummus dip with fresh veggies or Roasted veggie skewers. Be the guest to bring the healthy option to a party. While some folks may snicker or mock the healthy holiday, I guarantee you, there will be others standing around thankful for lighter option. We’ll also be the ones with less rolls when January 1 rolls around.
Speaking of rolls, while rumors have circulated that holiday weight gain can range from 5-25 pounds over these decadent days, the truth is most folks average a pound weight gain. A pound! We are getting all worked up about a pound? Well, yes, we should. According to researchers, it’s this one pound that we don’t stress over and it stays with us from the holidays all the year through. Until next holiday when we add another pound. Before you know it, we’re staring down our forties with an extra 10 pounds wondering from where it came. THis my friends is what I consider the scary ghost of Christmas past.
Starting today, we can make our plans to navigate the holiday parties and fare with success. Get moving / Keep moving. Skip those extra cocktails and coffee drinks. Choose health. It is the best gift you can give yourself and others this season. Not to mention, we’ll be on track to hang out with the very posh Ghost of Christmas Future….you know the ghost who likes to show everyone pics from Summer vacation where we rocked our swimsuits.
Dahling, swimsuit shopping is a beach when you skip the holiday buffet.
