Put down that Halloween candy! You’re either eating the leftovers or rummaging through your children’s stuff to get to your favorites. Stop it! It will soon be Thanksgiving Day, followed shortly by Christmas and New Years. Party, party, party. Food,
Put down that Halloween candy! You’re either eating the leftovers or rummaging through your children’s stuff to get to your favorites. Stop it!
It will soon be Thanksgiving Day, followed shortly by Christmas and New Years. Party, party, party. Food, family and friends mark the season, and when it is all over and done, great memories, but what a toll on your waistline.
So here are some helpful holiday hints as we head into the holidays.
First, limit your drinks. The number of calories in any type of alcoholic drink is high, but the worst part is that alcohol turns to sugar and fat in your body faster than anything. Alcohol starts absorbing into your system right from your mouth; this is why certain medications are dissolved in an alcohol base — it makes it fast acting. The limit should be one drink every hour or so, and in between, take a glass of water and sip on that. Not only will you cut down on the calories but you will also stay hydrated and avoid a hangover.
Eat before you go to a party. That’s right. It’s like eating before you go shopping. You will be less tempted by the goodies on display and will eat less than if you go hungry. While you are at the party, station yourself away from the bar and the food. If you pull up a chair to the buffet or the bar, well, you and I know what will happen — too much, too fast.
When you are entertaining at home, have some low fat, low sugar treats available, too. After a while all that fattening, sugary stuff gets a little too much and people appreciate that you have options. Fresh fruit, veggie sticks, baked sweet potato chips are tasty and good for you. Spritzers and light mixed drinks are appreciated, too. Also, as a host, don’t push drinks and food on people. It’s great to be hospitable, but not so great to force food or drinks on your guests.
As you likely will be eating more than usual at parties and family get-togethers, cut back at other meals. Go for a light smoothie or a high-protein, low-fat shake for breakfast and lunch. This way you can get your nutrients but not overdo the calories for the day. Make sure you get a good one and not just sugar-laden glop in a can. If you want some suggestions, call me.
Finally, the other thing you need to do in order to not start the New Year off twenty pounds heavier is to get with a strategic exercise plan. Again, this doesn’t mean that you need to start running down to the gym. There are many things that you can do on your own in your own home. The key is to get someone like me — an expert in fitness — to show you how and to maximize your efforts in exercise, not traveling back and forth to the gym.
When starting on a fitness program, it is important to have your original fitness level assessed so you know where you’re starting from. It’s also important that you know what you want out of the program, be it lose weight, get balance, build muscle, reduce waistline, get stronger overall or strengthen particular body parts. These different goals require different approaches at the gym and in the kitchen. From there, take a look at the rest of your lifestyle and figure out how much time and when you will work out. This takes honesty and commitment. There’s no sense pretending that you will do something every day if you already are run off your feet with other commitments. However, an expert trainer like me can help show you where you might find some time to do a quick effective workout that will then energize you so that your other tasks go faster and smoother.
I love this time of year. The socializing is great. The catching up with family and friends is wonderful, and of course the great food to be sampled is fun. Indulging a bit is good for your body and soul. Letting it get out of hand is not. With all the other shopping, decorating and preparing to do, it is easy to think that exercise and taking care of you can be done later. You’ll have a better holiday if you look after yourself as you go along. You’ll also look better for the holidays.
As always, call me to help you get in shape for the holidays and also for some great healthy delicious recipes and snack ideas for your get togethers. Love to cook!
• Jane Riley, B.A., C.P.T, C.N.A, can be reached at 212-1451 or www.janerileyfitness.com
