Healthy Through the Holidays: Enjoy the Season without the Extra Pounds

Can you believe it’s already November? It is finally a little cooler, pumpkin-flavored everything is everywhere, and before you know it, we’ll be sitting around the Thanksgiving table wondering if we’ve had one slice of pie … or three!   

This time of year is wonderful, but it can also be challenging to maintain your health habits. The good news? My goal for you isn’t to lose weight during the holidays; it is much simpler.  Let’s focus on maintaining, moving, connecting and enjoying the season.   

Here is your Holiday Survival Guide:

• Be kind to yourself. Thanksgiving is a day of giving thanks and being grateful. One meal doesn’t make or break your health. Enjoy your DAY, guilt-free, then get right back to your routine the next day. Consistency wins in the end, not perfection. 
• Choose your favorites. If Aunt Betty’s pecan pie only appears once a year, enjoy it. But if the grocery store-bought cookies show up, you know the ones you can get any day of the year, maybe skip those. 
• Bring a healthy dish. If you are the type of eater who is lured by a table full of desserts or rich dishes, then come prepared with your own healthier version and you won’t feel left out when everyone around you is indulging. 
• Eat your protein first. Protein is the most satiating of all nutrients, so starting your meal with a protein-rich appetizer or entree helps prevent overeating. 
• Eat mindfully. Slowly savor your food. Meals shared with others always taste extra special, so don’t rush through them. Give your whole body, including your tastebuds, the experience of enjoyment. 
• Hydrate. Sometimes we are not hungry.  Sometimes we are just dehydrated and standing too close to a dessert table.   Keep a glass of water in hand or close by to stay hydrated and keep your hands busy. 
• Be mindful of holiday drinks. Alcohol can add extra calories, isn’t hydrating and may actually stimulate your appetite. Try alternating beverages with water or lighten things up with a wine spritzer or festive mocktail. 
• Keep moving. You don’t need a two-hour workout. A walk after a meal, a quick workout before guests arrive, or even playing outside with grandkids counts.