With the holiday season here, you may be tempted to abandon your healthful eating habits. It is easy to forget to take care of yourself during this busy time of giving to others. But why spend January trying to get your cholesterol level or weight back down to its preseason level? Instead, some planning and following a few helpful tips can keep you on track through the holidays.
Goals to Remember
- Continue watching your fat intake
- Keep up your exercise program
These may also be the two hardest things to do during the holiday season. But with some of the tips below, you can have both an enjoyable and a healthy holiday season.
- Pre-plan for parties or special dinners. Know what to expect and have a plan for each situation. A party at your friend's house will be different from Christmas dinner at your in-laws. Decide what you are going to do at each and stick to it.
- Never go to a party hungry. If you hit the holiday buffet table on an empty stomach, you don't have a chance. Instead, have a low-fat snack before you go so that you are not famished. This way you can attend to the buffet table with your heart and waist in mind.
- Don't stand near the buffet table. Too often a friend will have found something you missed on your first go around and want you to try it.
- Limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage, unless you have been told by your doctor to avoid alcohol completely. Try sparkling cider or cranberry juice with sparkling water for a holiday treat.
- Don't make food the focal point of all your activities. Plan a special hike with the family on a day when you are all together. Even just a walk around the block after dinner can help to burn off the extra calories as well as get you away from the food for a while.
With these strategies in mind, you can enjoy a
healthy and happy holiday season!
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