Healthy and Happy for the Holidays

It was November 1^st when I heard the first Christmas carol of the year.  As the familiar chorus rang through the store’s loudspeaker system, I realized that there is no denying it anymore – the holidays are upon us.

I love the holidays – it’s a time for joy and celebrating, for reconnecting with family and friends.  I get almost childishly giddy when I hear my favorite holiday music.  I love the lights and decorations, the traditions, the warmth and love… and the food. Baking cookies to share with others is a task that I look forward to all year long.  (In fact, in years past, I eagerly awaited the delivery of the December issue of Gourmet magazine just so that I could drool over the photos in their annual holiday cookie issue.  Now that Gourmet is gone, I need to find some other inspiration…)

Truth be told, however, along with all the joy and cheer comes an increase in stress. Shopping, wrapping presents, greeting guests, being a guest, making extra food, attending parties, spending more time with family, worrying about finances, and extra demands on time… it can be overwhelming and feel out of control at times.   The loss of daylight hours also means varying degrees of seasonal depression for many people.

As stress and negative feelings build up in our bodies, we need a healthy way to release them.  Exercise is the perfect antidote.  Exercise releases endorphins into our bloodstream, which create feelings of happiness, modulation of appetite, and enhance the immune system.   Higher endorphin levels mean we will feel fewer negative effects of stress.

How can you find time to exercise during the holidays, you wonder?  It’s easy.  All it takes is a bit of planning and the motivation to make it happen.  Following, we’ve compiled a few tips to make it a bit easier for you.

If You’re Hosting

• As much as possible, stick to your usual routine.  Do you usually take a class after work on Wednesdays?  Then keep going.  Is Saturday morning the time you reserve for a run?  Go for your run!  Having guests shouldn’t prevent you from keeping to your usual routine.  Let your guests know ahead of time what you will be doing, when, and how long you will be.  Invite them to make themselves at home while you’re away, or invite them to join you.
• Be selective about the foods you buy and serve.  Buy healthy, whole, unprocessed foods.
• · Carve out time for yourself.  Arrange for guests to see a movie or visit a local museum while you have some time to unwind.

Plan Ahead When Traveling

• If you’re staying in a hotel, find out if they have a pool or fitness center, and pack appropriate clothes so you can take advantage of them.
• Find out if your gym offers reciprocal member benefits at other gyms and fitness centers in the area where you’ll be staying.
• Tell your family that you would like to make time to exercise while you’re away.  In fact, try to make a family affair of it.  Play touch football before Thanksgiving dinner.  Or have a snowball fight after unwrapping the Christmas presents.  Try to get others involved and make it fun!
• Pack a resistance band and your mat.  You’ll be more likely to exercise if you plan for it.

Stay Active at Your Destination

• Wear a pedometer and go for a walk to explore the neighborhood.
• Take time to stretch – bring a resistance band so that you can stretch and get mini-workouts in your room.
• Wake up 20 minutes early and do a quick workout right in your room before starting your day.

Be Picky at Parties

• Don’t go to a party hungry – eat something beforehand.  You won’t overindulge if you’ve already eaten a healthy meal.
• Try to position yourself far away from the food table.  You’ll be less likely to nibble if you’re across the room.
• Load your plate up with vegetables, fruits, nuts and cheese.  This will leave less room for the high calorie cookies and treats.
• Don’t deprive yourself!  Survey the offerings of goodies, and pick one or two that you just must have.  Enjoy it – now is not the time to feel guilty about what you eat.
• Those cocktails have hidden calories.  Limit your alcohol intake.  A good rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.
• Enjoy the people at the party.  Mingling with others and focusing on conversations will keep your mind off of the food.

Relax and Enjoy!

• This is probably the most important tip of all.  Holidays are a time to celebrate.  Focus on what you’re thankful for, and celebrate with family and friends.  Eat, drink, and indulge a little.  Just be sure that you set reasonable limits, and stick to them.
• The holidays are stressful and emotional enough.  Give yourself a bit of leeway.  This is not the time to try to lose weight.  Rather, focus on maintaining your current fitness level so that you get to January 1 without any new pounds.

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