De-Stress Your Holiday Preps for Better Health

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Don’t stress this holiday season, enjoy the little things and do the good things for you so you stay on target! Take time to enjoy the holiday decorations and music and find a festive neighborhood to take a walk. Exercise is important to keep going this time of year, so rev up your metabolism, bundle up and get moving.

Join a running, biking or even sledding group and work out for charity. There are lots of Santa, Reindeer, Jingle and even Elf Runs this time of year.

Be grateful for what you do have and get active by helping those less fortunate like wrapping presents for little kids or being an elf and help to deliver toys. Volunteer at a food bank or women’s shelter to feed and clothe those in need.

Modify traditions that may be too expensive or indulgent. It is okay to do so if you are being “self-full” and not selfish. Your relatives will get over it and you will have a clearer head. Do not go overboard with millions of course. Pick a food or treat that will be your indulgence and limit it to just one or two.

Limit your alcohol consumption this holiday season. Experts have said that liquid calories have contributed to America’s obesity epidemic. It is easy to sip on these tempting seasonal concoctions. Studies have shown that alcohol can also increase your hunger and cravings for salty and sugary foods. In fact some studies show that alcohol can increase your caloric intake somewhere between 20 and 30 percent. Alcohol also has an effect on your body’s metabolism and ability to process the additional calories. Consuming too much can result in hormonal imbalances which can result in weight gain.

Don’t overindulge in gift giving either. I always think that holidays are all about the kids and get the nieces and nephews some type of “learning toy”. As for the adults, do a “Secret Santa” or “White Elephant” gift exchange where you find something around the house that you’re not using and wrap it up. It is a game and you can steal gifts from one another.

Remember to get enough sleep. Try to keep a schedule and go to bed and wake up around the same time every day and night. This will leave you refreshed, more pleasant to deal with and yes, you will have more energy to exercise.

Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.