The holiday season is here! It’s time for good cheer, good will toward all, and good food.
Even though this is the most wonderful time of the year, too often the holidays are marred by the stresses of getting your shopping done, hosting family, cooking for a small army, and unwanted weight gain.
This year, we have three tips to help make your whole year healthy and happy!
1. Watch What You Eat and How You Eat It
Whether it’s a mint hot chocolate or a slice of homemade pie, the first bite is always the best. Don’t waste calories on a huge portion! If you choose to indulge, savor the flavor, but don’t give yourself license to gorge!
Leaving large servings of foods within reach encourages mindless eating. Dr. Brian Wansink of Cornell University found that moviegoers ate more popcorn when provided with a larger portion size rather than stopping when full. If you’re having a snack, pick a portion, and stick to it.
Whether at home, at a restaurant, or at a party, good table manners can protect your waistline! Cut only one bite at a time. Put your fork (or spoon) down between every bite. You’ll be able to better engage in conversation and give your body time to figure out when it’s full.
2. Watch What You Drink
Liquid calories like sodas, sweetened iced teas, lattes, and blended coffeehouse beverages are often devious – they don’t fill you up, so you feel like they “don’t count.” In fact, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins, reducing your liquid calorie intake has more impact on weight loss than reducing your solid calorie intake!
Staying hydrated is imperative. Drinking plenty of water helps curb false hunger pangs, flush your body of toxins, and keep your skin feeling fabulous. You don’t have to give up your coffee and tea; just be sure you’re not loading it up with heavy creams or sugars.
3. Get Moving
The holidays are supposed to be a happy time. If you’re finding them stressful, take some time to exercise and release some much-needed endorphins (and burn some calories)! Staff at the Mayo Clinic say, “Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever.” Don’t think of exercise as an obligation; think of it as a gift!
