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2. Eat lots of turkey! When the platter comes around pile on
the turkey. Light meat or dark meat? It really doesn’t
matter. A four ounce serving of white has 153 calories, and
the same serving of dark has 180-so that 27 calorie
difference equates to two fewer bites of mashed potatoes.
Eating protein increases lean muscle mass, which keeps your
metabolism running on high – even when you’re resting.
Protein also keeps you full. What you really want to avoid
is the excess gravy and turkey skin.
3. Identify your trigger foods! Trigger foods are foods that
set off a chain reaction of chewing…lol! They make your
taste buds go haywire and you can’t stop eating it. If you
see them, run in the opposite direction!
4. Cheat Days NOT Cheat Months! Keep your weight in check by
having cheat days, not cheat months!! Three or even six
days of overeating during six holiday weeks
won’t result in weight gain. So treat the holidays like days
instead of a season. One day of overindulgence here and
there on the actual holidays, like Christmas Eve, Christmas
day, New Years Eve and New Years Day will not wreck your
diet.
5. Pack, Plan,
Prepare To help maintain your weight during the holiday,
offset the holiday gorge by packing your lunch, plan and
prepare your weekly meals in advance. Get rid of the junk
food in your refrigerator and cabinets and fill them with
healthy options. Keep fresh fruit on your kitchen counter,
store healthy snacks like nuts in your desk at work. Keep
pre-washed pre-cut veggies and fruit in your fridge –
whatever you have to do to make the healthiest choice the
easiest choice, do it!
6. Sleep! The less sleep you get, the more likely you are to
be overweight. When you don’t get enough sleep, your
appetite hormones go haywire and you’re more likely to crave
sugar and carbs to stay alert. Be sure to get seven-to-eight
hours of rest. During the holidays a little extra shut-eye
won’t hurt.
7. Weigh yourself! Step on a scale, sure it can sometimes be
disheartening, but its better to face your fears. Weighing
yourself can actually help you stay on track. Monitoring
your weight keeps your mind on your health and prevents
denial.
8. Move your body - but don’t use exercise as your license
to eat. Continue your regular fitness routine, in fact; add
more activity to balance the additional holiday food. Walk
after your holiday meal. Tour your neighborhood to check
out your neighbors’ holiday decorations, plan a family walk
through the Toledo Zoo. Walking not only helps you lose
weight, it also lowers your blood sugar and prevents your
body from storing fat. So take a walk after dinner every
night, but especially during the holidays.
9. Celebrate your success even during the holidays!
Each time you lose ten pounds or so – treat yourself to
something fancy! No, not a doughnut or carryout Chinese
food! I mean a mani/pedi, a massage, or a designer bag!!
Be kind to yourself – it will help you accomplish your
goals.
10. Learn to say “no thank you”! There’s no need to offer an
explanation or feel guilty about making healthier choices
during the holiday. It’s not uncommon for family and
friends to place pressure on you to eat, drink and be
merry! Instead of losing control, simply say no thank you!
And if you find yourself pushed into a corner, tell them you
might indulge later. Just make sure ‘later’ never comes!
By making healthier choices daily, the unhealthy choices you
make during the holidays won’t drastically affect your
weight. Don’t deny yourself the delicious foods associated
with the holidays. Eat smaller portions! Add a daily
activity (like walking) to your normal fitness schedule!
Enjoy your family and friends! Celebrate the birth of our
King! That’s what Christmas is really about!
As always, you can contact me with any questions or for
information regarding Fabulously Fit classes
anytime.
Merry Christmas to You and Your Family!!
Angela R. Steward
Creator of Fabulously Fittm
Head Instructor & Owner of FABULOUSLY FIT *GEM*
1855 S. Reynolds Road, Suite C, Toledo, Ohio 43614
Classes: Every Mon 9am & 6pm, Tue – Thurs 6pm, Sat 9 am
Contact Number: (419) 699-9399
Email: Fabfitu@yahoo.com
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