Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time notorious for having people pack on some extra pounds. And why wouldn't it be? It starts in October, with all of those sweet trick or treat candies. I'm ashamed to say that I eat my fair share of my child's Halloween bounty. Then comes Thanksgiving, a holiday that immediately brings to mind turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, pies, and all that good stuff. Next is Christmas, which brings many of the same tasty foods as Thanksgiving, but this time there's more cookies, cakes, pies, and chocolate. Just around the corner there is New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If your family is anything like mine, that means parties on both days. And that means more eating. So, it's no wonder that many people gain weight during the holidays. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Self control and a few simple tips can help you to maintain your healthy lifestyle even during the holiday season.

Staying healthy during the holidays does not mean that you need to starve yourself. It is perfectly reasonable to eat what you want to. However, keep in mind that you must do so in moderation. I have a bad habit of finding something that I really like to eat, then eating tons of it. There really is no need to do so. Eat what you enjoy eating, but watch your portions.

Look for the healthy options in your meal. For example, on Thanksgiving, you could choose white turkey meat. If you are the one preparing dinner, you could leave out the butter when serving vegetables. It is helpful to start a food log. What this does is it keeps track of everything you eat throughout the day. This creates some accountability of the things you put in your mouth and you'll be able to clearly see what your diet is like.

The cold weather may make you want to stay indoors and lounge around, but in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you must remember to keep active. We gain the most weight when we are inactive. Stick to a regular schedule and try to work out at least three times a week. Working out will also help you keep your energy levels high.

The holiday season is full of lots of family, friends, and of course food. Enjoy yourself while also keeping your health goals in mind. Have fun, eat the foods you love, just don't over do it.