Well, the busy holiday season is here. It’s the time for gathering with family and friends, giving gifts and reflecting on the year that has passed. It’s also the time when many of us, me included, have a difficult time keeping healthy. In fact, the average person gains 1-5 pounds during the holiday season.
It seems to start with Thanksgiving. We eat a ton of food and lay around the house watching football. Then December comes and we attend holiday parties filled with yummy (and unhealthy) treats, go on stress-filled shopping trips to find the perfect gift and don’t exercise as often as we should because we’re too busy. When January finally rolls around, we feel sluggish and our pants are snug. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
I think the key to staying healthy during the holidays is planning and moderation. For example, if I go to a holiday party, I eat a snack before so I'm not starving when I get there. Or I try a few appetizers and avoid the food table. If I know I have a busy weekend of shopping ahead of me and don’t know where when I'll fit in my exercise time, I incorporate it into my shopping. Either I bring my gym clothes and walk at the mall or I park far away from the store to get my exercise. These are a few of the ways I stay healthier. Do you have any tips on how to stay healthy during the holiday season?
Justin