Have a Healthy Holiday
Here’s a way to ensure your diet and fitness goals don’t
end up cast aside with the gift wrappings this year: Make one healthy choice
every day leading up to the holidays. These 12 simple strategies will help you control calories, and even burn a few (almost
1,000!), while still enjoying the season. You might just find that these
healthy efforts will lead to more virtuous choices, so you’ll look and feel
better by 2014.
Eat a Belly-Flattening Breakfast
Start your day with a hearty breakfast and stay satiated for a
morning of holiday errands. This way, you’ll be less tempted to storm the food
court during your shopping trip. Try these meal ideas to fill your belly and keep it flat through
the new year.
Improve Your Morning Latte
You can enjoy Starbucks’ seasonal drinks
without packing on pounds—as long as you select strategically. Steer clear of
sugar-loaded options like the Grande Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with
whipped cream, which clocks in at 540 calories. Instead, opt for the
Gingerbread Latte to get your holiday fix for a fraction of the guilt. A Grande
size with skim milk contains just 200 calories.
Play in the Snow
Dust off your ice skates or skis for some
wintry fun. A 150-pound person can burn 545 calories during an hour of ice
skating, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. Spend the afternoon outdoors and
you won’t have to feel guilty for skipping the gym.
Stay Hydrated
Remember to drink plenty of
water despite the frigid temperature outside. Researchers at Virginia Tech
recently reported that water can help middle-aged and older adults consume
fewer calories. Half of the overweight participants in the study drank 2 cups
of water before each meal. At the end of 12 weeks, this group lost 44% more
weight than those who didn’t consume water before eating. Start drinking now
and you’ll slim down by spring.
Drink and Be Merry
There’s no reason you can’t include alcohol
in your December diet. But be smart when you imbibe. At your next holiday
party, celebrate the season with a glass of Champagne, which contains only 80
calories. Eggnog with rum, on the other hand, can set you back 400!
Do 10 Minutes of Cardio
Lifting weights or attending an
hour-long Pilates class is probably not your number one priority right now. But
squeeze in 10 minutes of cardio today and you can check “exercise” off your
list. Grab your iPod, go for a quick jog around the neighborhood, and admire
the lawn decorations. By the time you get through three songs on your holiday
play list, you will have burned 100 calories.
Play Santa Claus
Who needs reindeer and a sleigh? Deliver
your gifts in person—on your bicycle. A 2010 study from Harvard School of
Public Health found that just 5 minutes of daily bike riding can help
premenopausal women decrease the risk of weight gain. So bundle up baby, it’s
cold outside.
Indulge in Cheese
Every holiday party touts an obligatory
cheese plate, and there’s no need to be a Grinch about it. Enjoy your favorite
hors d’oeuvres in moderation. A tablespoon of Brie contains just 50 calories,
and one mini spinach and cheese quiche has only 45 calories. Plus, the calcium
in cheese may even help boost your weight loss, so savor every last bite.
Shop Smarter
Take an extra lap around the mall when
you’re out searching for the perfect present. The average person can burn 56
calories with just 15 minutes of brisk walking. And the more bags you’re
carrying, the more calories you’ll burn. You may never find a better excuse to
shop until you drop.
Give Yourself a Healthy Gift
While you’re raiding the aisles of Best Buy fulfilling everyone
else’s wish lists, toss a Fitbit in the cart for yourself. This quarter-sized
gadget tracks your calories burned, steps taken, distance traveled, and sleep
quality. It also links to a personal profile page where you can log your
eating, weight, and other health information
Fill Up Your Plate
Go ahead and pile appetizers
onto your plate—a little plate. You’re more likely to consume fewer calories if
you opt for the smaller dish. Remember, you’re trying to monitor your portions,
so don’t double the number of trips to the party platter.
Rev Your Metabolism
Fend off holiday weight gain with a simple strength-training
routine.These four medicine ball exerciseswill
help you drop pounds in a hurry. You can do the workout at home while you watch A
Charlie Brown Christmas for
the 11th year in a row
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