Holidays Can Be Rough On the Diet

Holidays should be a wonderful time of year to get together with family and friends and enjoy the season. But for those on a special diet, it can be a stressful time of year. Food is everywhere... at work, at parties, at church! I have had clients tell me they just stay home from festivities to avoid the temptations they are sure to encounter. Here are a few tips that might help get your clients through the holiday season without a weight gain. (Maintenance of weight is a big accomplishment!) At Work: Go for a walk on your break time. Staying out of the break room will keep you away from the goodies and the exercise is good stress relief that burns calories. At Parties: Don't starve all day knowing you will be going to a party that night. This only leads to eating much more high calorie party food because you are hungry. Take a small plate of food and then move away from the table. The closer you stand, the easier it is to refill your plate. At Family Dinners: Get a small teaspoon and take one bite of everything on the table. Fill one plate and don't go back for seconds. Pick one favorite dessert and split it with someone. Ask some family members to go for a walk after the meal instead of plopping down on the couch in front of the television. As busy as we can all get, keep up with regular exercise routines. Make exercise a priority and get adequate sleep. The holidays can be enjoyed without the fear of gaining excess weight.