Maintain-no gain
this holiday!

With Thanksgiving just behind us, we have officially entered the “holiday season” along with the food and traditions that come with it. In anticipation of the upcoming indulgences, a local exercise club has adopted the mantra of “maintain, no gain”. This is a smart approach and there are many tips to help us enjoy the holidays but emerge ready to take on 2010 rather than wearily battling unexpected weight gain.

The best strategy to stay in control of eating during the next several weeks is to plan ahead and avoid showing up hungry at holiday gatherings. Try to eat breakfast each day rather than saving up for later. As predictable as it sounds, eating a satisfying snack and drinking water before a holiday event will help reduce your intake at the party itself. Once there, head straight to the beverages and start off with a low calorie drink or sparkling water. Next, hit the vegetable platter (going easy on dips) before starting on other foods. Physically distancing yourself from the food and spending time talking are two ways to avoid unconscious nibbling. Finally, be aware of the calories in alcoholic and sweetened drinks. Beverages do not fill you up and yet many contain up to 20% or more of your daily caloric need in a single serving. This is not to say that you should not enjoy some of your favorite treats associated with this time of year, but most of us eat more than we need. Slow down, really taste and savor what you eat – after the first helping, the seconds and thirds are typically less enjoyable anyway.

Whenever you have the opportunity to contribute to the food at a gathering, offer to bring a dish or appetizers that you know are not laden with calories and fat. There are hundreds of healthy recipe ideas on our site – search by your favorite ingredients and get started! DH