Get through the holidays with your diet intact
ALTON - The last couple weeks of December are often filled with friends, family and celebrations. They can also be filled with too much food, decreased exercise habits, and subsequent weight gain.
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According to OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Dietician Ginger Becker, starting over during the New Year can be a daunting task, but reflection and positivity can make a healthy lifestyle seem achievable.
“One tip I have for going into 2017 is to make a list of what went right with eating and fitness in 2016,” said Becker. “Focus on the positive, such as, ‘I increased my water intake over other beverages or I always had a piece of fruit when I felt like a candy bar.’”
While the holiday season brings around delicious foods unique to this time of year, developing strategies to avoid over-indulging and staying active is important to your overall health.
Try these tips
- Don’t show up to a gathering hungry. If you aren’t overly hungry, chances are you won’t overload your plate.
- Enjoy a large glass of water before putting food on your plate. A glass of water can ease your cravings and help you avoid loading up a large plate of food.
- Use a smaller plate for food. This is an easy way to practice portion control.
- Go for a walk a few hours after a meal. Once your stomach settles, it is time to burn off some of those calories you consumed.
- Eat with people, not the television. Enjoy conversation and eat slowly with friends and family instead of mindlessly eating in front of the television.
- Commit to a regular exercise schedule before the holidays are over. Waiting until the New Year to begin exercising doesn’t always produce great results.
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