Staying HealthY & Fit During the Holidays

By: Melissa Kwiatkowski, Director of Training

The Holidays are a time for gathering with family and friends; a time for enjoyment and celebration. Along with these festive gatherings accompanies an array of buffet-style meals loaded with a variety of rich, calorie dense foods. This time of year is often followed by bloating, fatigue and the ever dreaded weight gain. To help you stay healthy and continuing on your fitness journey, I have included some tried and true tips to help alleviate the holiday over-eating syndrome.

Tip #1
Don’t skip meals to indulge in that anticipated feast. By skipping a meal, you are more likely to overeat, especially on your favorite goodies.

Tip #2
Start with vegetables or a salad. These foods are higher in fiber, lower in calories and make you feel more full.

Tip #3
Eating smaller portions of foods can have a positive impact on preventing over indulgence in buffet-style eating. Remember to be aware that even healthy foods have calories and are easy to over-eat. Moderation is key in holiday festivities.

Tip #4
Most holidays meals are coupled with a vast spread of desserts. Consider small samplings of dessert to satisfy that sweet-tooth. This strategy allows you to savor the richness of dessert without all the calories. 

Tip #5
The holidays are a time for merriment with friends and family. Make sure to enjoy your time together while making smart choices.

Tip #6
Be mindful and wary of the liquid calories. Enough said.

Tip #7
Make sure to keep moving. Many people overeat and fall into the holiday “food coma”. After dinner it is important to engage in some type of physical activity. This could be a nice stroll, a snowball fight (weather permitting), or even a planned session that evening at the gym after activities are completed. The MAAC happens to be open 24/7 for your convenience. 

To be successful in maintaining health and fitness during the holidays, choosing a strategy and sticking with it will be your best plan for success. Remember to make sure you have fun and have a blessed holiday season.

​M.ExS.; NASM CPT; Precision Nutrition Level 1; CES