Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

by Amber White • 

ChiroHealthUSA Social Media Specialist

With the holidays just around the corner, the age-old question, ‘How do I enjoy the holiday season without regretting my decisions come the New Year?’ It seems to hover in the back of everyone’s mind.  With the parties, family gatherings, and goodies that accompany this time of year, it’s very easy to find yourself going a bit overboard. Let’s face it. The more we indulge, the wider our waistlines seem to get. It seems an almost impossible feat to make healthy food choices without missing out on the holiday fun. Fortunately, with these few tips, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Limit Splurge Days

Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t give you a free pass to stuff yourself with every themed goodie you see. You still have to be mindful of your calorie consumption. Choose a couple of days when splurging is an absolute must and choose your indulgences carefully. You don’t have to eat something just because it’s there. TIP: If you eat more slowly, you’ll be able to pay better attention to when you feel full so that you won’t overeat. Wear fitted clothing during holiday gatherings to get a better idea of when you become full.

Monitor Alcohol Intake

Now, this may not be the most popular tip, but it is an important one. Depending on the beverage, most alcoholic drinks are full of empty calories. Worst of all, alcohol tends to be an appetite stimulant, which causes you to eat more because your inhibitions are lowered. Like everything else, make sure you practice moderation this holiday season. TIP: Eat something substantial before drinking alcoholic beverages and drink a glass of water between cocktails. 

Prioritize Exercise

If you are anxious about gaining additional pounds, or plan to splurge every chance you get, you need to fit exercise in wherever you can. Whether that means hitting your local gym a few extra times a week or deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator at the office, the more movement you put in, the less damage is likely to occur. TIP: Dancing is considered a form of movement, so turn on your favorite song and bring both fun and physical activity to your gathering.

Make Friends and Family the Center 

Holidays are about much more than gorging on your favorite dishes and drinks. They are about spending time with the ones you love. If you fill gathering times with games and laughter, not just goodies, you won’t have to worry about your waistline expanding. TIP: Use holiday time to catch up with family, play a board game with friends, or tour local light displays.