Tips For Holiday Fitness and Health

I don't know about you, but I'm not going to pass on those delicious brownies, holiday treats or the extra servings of Mom's home cooked meals this holiday season. So what can I do to at least control weight gain during the holidays?

Here are a few tips I gathered. If you have healthy tips of your own, please leave them for our readers.

1. Avoid standing next to the buffet table.
2. Avoid sitting in front of the TV for more than 10-15 minutes. Get up and walk around or volunteer to walk the dog.
   
3. Select lower calorie finger food such as carrots and veggies (at least between all the real goodies).
4. Plan a walk around the block to view the holiday lights and decorations.
5. Don't touch the fried foods. There is too much other great food to eat and/or serve such as fruit and healthy nuts.
6. Drink plenty of water or at least one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage.
7. Eat something healthy before going out to a party.
8. Start with small portions at buffet tables because the dessert is unavoidable.
9. Avoid high-calorie drink mixers like juice and soda.
10. When cooking for guests, use low-calorie ingredients such as skim milk or apple sauce when baking.
11. Try to talk with everyone in the room. It usually forces you to get up and walk around plus it is hard to talk with food in your mouth.
12. Enjoy yourself. Happy people live healthier lives!

Wishing you a special moment with someone special this holiday season.