27 Oct 2021 Staying trim around all those trimmings
By Jenn McCracken
Everyone who knows me will tell you that I love the holiday season and especially Christmas! I am the girl who puts her tree up after the last trick-or-treater leaves and will start singing Christmas songs even before that. I love the hustle and bustle that the season brings, and I look forward to the ugly sweater parties, white elephant gift exchanges, and family gatherings.
However, one thing that I struggle with every single year is how to find time to workout and how to resist all of the delicious goodies that surround the holiday season. Between work, holiday parties and the kitchen pantry, I have the opportunity to constantly indulge!
Here are a few tips that I hope will help you stay on track during “the most wonderful time of the year.” Honestly, I am not reinventing the wheel with these tips, but I do think that a reminder of small things we can do will help to keep your waistline from expanding.
1. Keep the overindulgences to the actual party day
It is so easy to find yourself unconsciously buying all of the holiday-themed candy and cookies at the store and stopping by a coffee shop for yet another seasonal holiday drink. Make a plan to enjoy these treats on a certain day of the week or only at events, rather than an every day indulgence.
2. Don’t take dessert leftovers home
After gatherings, many hosts encourage guests to take a plate of goodies home. Resist the urge at that moment so you won’t have to fight the urge when it’s on your kitchen counter. If you have a sweet tooth, keep sugar-free candies handy to help curb a craving.
3. Keep water intake at an all-time high
One of the things that will make the biggest difference in keeping calories under control is making sure you don’t drink your calories. Hot chocolate, eggnog, alcohol, and punch all contain as many calories as an actual meal. Instead, try to limit yourself to only one high-calorie beverage — or better yet, to only water. Also, drinking water throughout the day is said to help curb cravings because most of the time when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty.
4. Participate in themed 5Ks
Turkey trots, Santa Chases, and New Year’s 5Ks are all the rage during the holidays. Pick out a funky outfit and sign your family up to participate in these fun activities. You can walk and jog these events. Outside of doing something with family and friends, the best part about these races is that most of the time the money goes to support a local charity.
