10 Holiday Health Tips to Keep You on Track All Season Long

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year for everything but your waistline. While parties abound, there’s no more difficult time to avoid temptation than during the holidays. Follow these ten tips to keep you on track all season long.

1. Get Moving. Exercise not only curbs the pounds from piling on, it also helps relieve holiday stress. Make a goal of exercising 3 - 5 times a week to keep yourself merry and bright all season long.

2. Eat. Don’t arrive at a party starving. Snack on a bowl of veggie soup, a piece of fruit, or some carrots and hummus before arriving, to curb your hunger pains. This will help ward off the temptation to overindulge.

3. Choose Your Course. If you’re a dessert-aholic, avoid gorging on dinner and appetizers and save your calories for the sweet stuff. If you’re more of a savory fan, go easy (or even skip) dessert.

4. Satisfied, Not Stuffed. Think before you head back to the buffet and fill your plate up two and three times. Enjoy all of your favorite holiday treats while keeping one key work in mind — moderation.

5. Beware When Boozing. Not only is alcohol packed with sugar and extra calories, it also lessens your inhibitions and could lead to overindulgence.

6. Dangerous Drinks. It’s not just alcohol that that can wreak havoc on your calorie intake. Non-alcoholic drinks can be just as dangerous. Those special holiday coffee drinks at your local coffee house can rake in over 300 calories. As delicious as egg nog, apple cider, and hot chocolate might be, stick to water and save your calories for some ice cream with your pie.

7. Change Your Focus. Instead of having the holidays revolve around baking pies and cookies, turn family craft time into non-food related projects. Make ornaments, decorate wreaths, and play games to enjoy the holiday spirit without focusing on eating.

8. Bring It. Ensure you have a healthy option by bringing your own healthy dish to your next holiday party.

9. Slimmer Servings. Make it a challenge to find healthy, low-calorie alternatives to your favorite holiday dishes.

10. Keep It Real. As ambitious as you might be, trying to lose weight during the holidays is not easy or sometimes even possible. Instead of focusing on trying to lose, focus on maintaining your current weight.

Edited by Jody Smith

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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.