Stay Fit Through the Holidays (Tips to avoid putting on Extra Holiday weight)

Holidays often mean spending time with family & friends, and usually involves lots of food. The average American tends to gain between 1-2 pounds over the holidays. The problem is that this extra weight is hardly ever lost. Over 10 to 15 years that adds up to 20 to 30 pounds of extra weight putting a lot of stress on your hips and knees. Here are some tips to avoid putting on the extra weight and staying fit through the holidays:

Focus on Fun Activities:

Shift the focus away from food and concentrate more on physical activities. Going running, dancing, or skating with your loved ones during the holidays can be a lot of fun and will certainly help burn off some extra calories.

Sneak in Short Workouts

If you are hard pressed for time, sneaking in short 10-minute workouts with a pair of dumbbells or just bodyweight exercises like squats, pushups, and sit-ups once or twice during the day will add to overall fitness.

Healthy Eating Habits at Social Events:

Eat a healthy snack before going to a party. This will make it easier for you to resist the high calorie foods at the buffet table. Practice portion control by serving yourself in a smaller plate, filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables before trying out higher calorie foods and don’t go back for a second helping. You can even carry a healthy dish with you. This will guarantee there is something healthy you can eat. Be highly selective with desserts, you don’t have to try all the different varieties on display. Choose only your favorite ones.

Beware of liquid calories:

Alcohol, sugary soft drinks, eggnog, and other calorie-rich beverages contribute heavily to holiday weight gain. Have no more than one or two drinks per day and stick to water or soda with a dash of lime thereafter.

Add a healthy twist to home cooking:

Baking, grilling, or steaming your food is better than frying. Replace butter with pumpkin puree or apple sauce; substitute skimmed milk for heavy cream, and dried fruit instead of chocolate chips. This way you can still have festive foods without your calorie-intake going through the roof.

The holidays are an exciting and sometimes stressful time. These tips will help you navigate through the all the festivities without compromising on your fitness.

The physicians at Carrell Clinic are committed to providing the highest level of orthopedic care in Frisco & Dallas, Texas. Book an appointment with us today.