We are all familiar with the Holiday Shuffle. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, many of us can expect to exhaust ourselves with too many tasks and events. Socializing and making merry wreak havoc on our stress levels and waistlines as food and alcohol become far more abundant than time to rest. Most of us are aware of what we should be watching out for to avoid weight gain and burnout during this period: don\’t drink too much, don\’t fill up on hors d\’oeuvres, hydrate, etc. But many of us don\’t know how to put these tools into action again and again throughout the holidays without feeling deprived, or just dull. As a trainer who loves great food and wonderful wine, I have a few tips to minimize or avoid any damage to your health and fitness goals during this decadent season.
1: Do some sort of exercise everyday even if it\’s just for 5 minutes on days you can\’t find the time to train. You can take a quick walk during work, or do a few push ups in front of the TV. Or even sneak some jumping jacks in when you think no one is looking. These quick bursts of exercise are not only to burn calories. Exercise of any duration or intensity assists in lowering blood sugar levels and increasing circulation. Plus, physical activity of any sort is a good way to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Are you light headed and exhausted? Maybe you need more water. Maybe you need a 10 minute nap instead of another play at angry birds. Keeping a dialogue with your body is always better than avoiding it until the 2nd of the New Year.
2: If you like to imbibe, keep your cocktails clean and consistent. If you start the evening with a crisp white wine, avoid any other sort of alcohol for the rest of the evening. Choose something you can enjoy with your food and try to drink 6-8 oz of water between alcoholic beverages to avoid dehydration and stave off drunken food binges. Avoid sweet mixed drinks and eggnog. You\’ll still have a good time and not have any regrets in the morning.
3: It\’s been said before, but I\’ll repeat: Do not walk into a party hungry. Make sure you have had a healthy meal or snack a few hours before you greet the first flute of champagne and tray of pastry puff cheese bites. You\’ll avoid making some poor decisions, diet and otherwise.
4: Wear something you feel wonderful in. Enjoy your surroundings and the people around you. It sounds trite, but holding your head a bit higher than the buffet table often brings welcome sights. The food is there to enhance the occasion, not to overwhelm it.
