Holiday Survival Tip #16

 Healthy Holiday Tip #16: Avoid the Holiday Muffin Top

Trifle. German chocolate cake. Peppermint bark. Sometimes (actually, all the time) it’s impossible for me to say “No” to the desserts table.  Here are some tips from the experts at Sharecare that I’ll be sure to follow to keep off the extra weight during the holiday season—and at all of those holiday parties!

Make Time For Fitness
Worried about gaining weight this holiday season? Sharecare Fitness Expert Joan Roth says you need to make time for your fitness to stay in shape. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and be open to new exercise routines. Healthy staples like eight hours of sleep per night, drinking enough water everyday, and creating an outlet for stress are other ways you can survive the holiday season without hurting your waistline. Watch her great video for more inspiration!

Party On!
While it’s easier said than done, it is possible to survive the dozens of holiday parties without gaining weight. Scott Lucett, an expert of National Academy of Sports Medicine, says arriving at a holiday gathering hungry can lead to overeating. Plan ahead by eating a healthy snack that is high in fiber or protein. It’s also important to maintain portion control while at holiday gatherings, says Shannon Jay Dougherty.  Sharecare Fitness Expert Kat Barefield says a good holiday strategy is to fill half your plate with vegetables, salad and fruit, a fourth of your plate with lean proteins like seafood, skinless turkey or chicken and the last fourth of your plate with a small portion of your favorite holiday dish. And finally, limit your alcohol to one drink a day if you’re a woman and two drinks a day if you’re a man.

File under: Healthy Holidays