Originally published January 1 2009
Eleven Ways to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
by Sheryl Walters
(NaturalNews) The season of delicious food and parties has rolled around once again. It's the season for building fires, getting cosy, enjoying family and friends, and eating so much that all your hard work to stay fit and healthy gets flushed away. It's the same story every year.
So perhaps this is the year to give yourself the best gift possible... having a good time while enjoying optimum wellbeing. Imagine getting to January still feeling and looking your best. Here are some ways that you can stay jolly this season without piling on the pounds and feeling dreadful.
1. Try to avoid eating just because others around you are
Eat when you are hungry and avoid eating just because everyone around you is. There will most likely be someone around you eating a treat, make sure you really want and need it before eating it.
2. Always Look for Opportunities to Move
Take a brisk walk when you get a few minutes, and walk instead of driving or taking the bus. Stand up and move around while you're on the phone, and walk to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing him or her.
This is also a great time of year to get bundled up and take a long walk in the countryside.
3. Keep Healthy Food in the House
Even the healthiest people can find it tempting to eat rubbish when it is in the house. Enjoy the treats when you are out during special occasions.
4. Fill up on liquids
Water and tea will take up space and fill you up, lessening the desire for more food and too many holiday drinks.
5. Use Affirmations
Affirmations are used to make your brain know what you truly want. "I will stay fit and healthy", (even when everyone else is eating tons of junk food and downing copious amounts of mulled wine) is an example of an affirmation that could be used during this season.
6. Colourful Foods for Weight Loss
Creating a colourful plate of food is a fabulous way to make your food more nutritious and delicious. Increasing your intake of a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables helps you stay well, and is a healthy way to make your plate look festive (think reds and greens).
7. Graze, Don't Gorge
People who eat little and often throughout the day are more likely to lose weight without hunger than people who eat all at one or two sittings. Having healthy snacks, such as fruit or chestnuts (not mince pies), in between meals is a good way to keep from becoming hungry and overeating. This will also keep your blood sugar levels even so you have more energy.
8. Hang Out Away From the Food
When you are enjoying yourself at the party, hang out away from the munchies. If you stand too close to the snacks you might find that you have just mindlessly munched through a whole chocolate Santa.
9. High Protein foods
Research shows that a diet high in protein satiates the body, keeping it from craving the insane amounts of holiday treats available. Foods rich in protein include fish, eggs, lentils, beans, nuts and seeds.
10. Let Guilt Go
If you do have a night of binging, don't start thinking "I've blown all my hard work and I may as well indulge my woes in some Christmas pudding." Just acknowledge that you had a good night, move on and reaffirm what you really want (which is not to begin your new year as a tired, cranky, overweight being).
11. Remember Your Goals
Take time each day to remember the person that you want to be and how you want to feel. This will keep you focused and help you to say "no" to too many goodies.
About the author
Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.
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