The Key to having a Healthy Holiday season!

The holiday season is upon us again. It's a time to be merry, to see friends and family, and…..

Eat, eat, eat

What?

Big Mouth!

Yes, I said it. Eat, eat, eat.  We all know that the holidays are a time to indulge in your favorite pastimes, with your favorite people, while eating your favorite goodies.  Many of the treats we associate with the holidays are high in sugar and high in fat; surefire ways to make you anxious (from sugar crashes), sluggish (too full to move), and a little heftier around the middle.

The thing is, holidays don’t have to be this way. What good is it to enjoy these winter months to excess, only to ruin your hard work and mourn the loss of your gym-efforts for the rest of the year? The key, folks, is exercising and eating in moderation during the holidays to minimize it's impact on your fitness in the new year.

Time to burn some calories!!!

Enjoy your favorite goodies, but eat healthy foods too, full of fiber and protein. Fresh fruits and veggies, high-protein foods, and complex carbohydrates will keep your cravings low and prevent you from overdoing it on the pecan pie and home-made gravy. Cooking and enjoying your favorite meals is a wonderful way to bond with people you love, but it is not the only way. If you make some brownies, go for a walk around Lake Merritt after. The fresh air, endorphin rush, and the good company will brighten your day even more! Have 1, not 2 (or 3...or 4....) servings, of stuffing; then you won't feel too weighed down and tired to do fun things later! Just remember, your body is constantly working on a budget; the more you take in, the more you need to put out in order to avoid weight gain and the unpleasant side effects that come along with overindulging.  This form of "budgeting" does not disappear November-Jan 1st! Stay mindful, enjoy your life, and take care of yourself.

Tools for a balanced life

A few healthy indulgences this post holiday season:

-Candy canes! (1 candy cane=110 calories, and the mint flavor curbs cravings/appetite)

-No-fudge fat-free brownies (made with yogurt, low calorie and delicious!). Try this recipe:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/20/substitute-yogurt-baking-brownies_n_1367351.html


-Eat light meat (like turkey/chicken breast) instead of dark meat (it's lower in calories and still tasty!)

-Make your own flavored nuts; drizzle them with light chocolate syrup, or Splenda with cinnamon/nutmeg and a bit of honey so you can control portion size/sugar/fat levels.

-Eat sweet potatoes; they are full of fiber, a great super food that will satisfy your sweet tooth and complement your favorite savory holiday meals 

-Watch the cocktails! They'll up your calorie intake and appetite; add some extra club/diet soda, or use low-fat milk (for eggnog, etc) to make your drinks last longer without hurting your waistline.

Natures Medicine

Got more ? about how to eat this month? Ask! 
NEXT LEVEL Fitness is always here to tackle your toughest questions and help you lead a healthy, happy life!


Wishing you the best this holiday season and new year 2014


Dr. Abu Pigott