Holidays are upon us!

How does one not put on the seven pounds of "winter fat" between Thanksgiving and New Years?

I know that this has been difficult for me in the past. Every year it seems that I put on a few extra pounds during the holidays and then I need to shed it off in the spring. This is also getting to be a greater chore every year as I get older and the pounds just don't melt away by doing a few extra sit ups. (as my wife thinks I do it)

This week is what I would venture is a typical week for most of us as we are faced with numerous company Christmas luncheons and going out after work for drinks.

This article appeared in Beginner Triathlete and it outlines some general tips for making it through the holiday season without gaining that extra layer of cold protection. It’s standard stuff, but it’s a good read regardless. It pretty much boils down to this:

1. Offer to have the holiday meal at your house.
2. If you’ve been invited to someone’s house for the holidays, bring something with you like a low fat side dish.
3. Fill your plate with the lower fat foods first and then just add a taste of the higher fat foods to your plate.
4. Drink at least 8 to 16 ounces of water BEFORE your meal.
5. If snacky foods are sitting around the house before mealtime, sit away from the dishes or socialize in a room that is not filled with the tempting treats.
6. Get up a bit earlier that morning and go for a run/walk/bike ride/etc.
7. If you can’t get up and workout before the big meal…recruit people/family members to go out for a walk after dinner.
8. Set a goal to work out at least 3 to 4 days a week during the holidays.
9. If you are going to indulge in a few alcoholic beverages, choose lower calorie options. Wine is better than light beer, light beer is better than beer, and beer is better than some liquor and mixes.
10. This is also the time of year to set new goals.
    

Don’t go without, just watch portion sizes and remember that there is ALWAYS time to get a short workout in…if you make the time!

Remember, your health is just as important DURING the holidays as it is during the other 9 months of the year. So, don’t take November, December and January off, just curb your workouts a bit, maintain, and take the extra time you have to spend with the people you love!