The holiday season poses a number of stresses on everyone, from the financial to the social. The last thing any of us want to worry about is gaining weight on top of it all, but it still poses a serious problem in the coming colder months. We all fall victim to the winter blues, and the lethargy that come with them. Combine this with all of the yummy deserts and nog, and you have a dieting disaster waiting to happen. Here’s a few simple things I do to stay ahead.
This mat can be used on the Wii, Gamecube, and PS2 gaming platforms.
Baby, Its Cold Outside
No one wants to get up and go to the gym when there’s a foot of snow and ice on the ground, well, at least I don’t. Sure, I would love to get into winter sports, like snowboarding or iceskating, but all of these require lots and lots of money, which after presents, bills, and students loans, is not in abundance for me. What’s a broke college girl to do? Get moving! There are dozens of free youtube videos by the great ladies of sparkpeople, simple 10 minute cardio workouts to burn fat and build muscle. Need something a little more interesting? Kick it oldschool, break out the PS2 and the DDR mats. The used games average about $5, and the mats are only $20 online. Compared to the cost of an exercise machine, its a serious weight off your finances. Simply hit the workout mode and watch the calories stack up as you get moving to all your favorite songs.
Beware the Nog!
Not only did Bob from the down the hall spike the office party batch with an entire bottle of Bacardi, but the calorie intake on this delicious evil is insane. 2% Milk averages about 130 calories per 8oz serving. The same amount in Hood Gingerbread Eggnog is 360 calories! Add in the rum, which is around 2500 calories a bottle, and you have the Waistline Destroyer. Avoid it at all times possible if you can. If nothing else, limit your portions and keep it out of your house. Bring it to someone else’s party! Then leave it there. I employ the same method with baking delicious deserts. If it doesn’t come home with me, I’m not tempted to splurge on it.
Portion Control, Portion Control, Portion Control.
More veggies and fruits, less meat and starches. When in doubt, consider the FDA food plate:
This shouldn’t be too tricky to remember, so, when making your snack plate or dinner plate, at your house or someone else’s, just try to remember the rule of four: Half veggies/fruits, one quarter protein, one quarter grain. More green less meat.
Don’t Go Cold Turkey
The holidays bring good company, and even better food. Don’t completely abstain from the desert section, simply take smaller portions of each. If there is that one desert you HAVE to have, simply eat better during other parts of the day. Treat your calories like dollars, save them for what matters to you. If that doesn’t work for you, work out as soon as you can afterwards. Don’t wait till the next day, the damage will already be done by the time you wake up. Just do a quick 10 minute cardio video, or if you’ve really misbehaved, try an hour of DDR. Any type of cardio workout will do, just burn the calories off in any way you like.
You don’t need to be the lonely I-eat-only-salads girl just to keep on your diet this holiday season. Just eat right and keep moving. That’s really all there is to it. And if you have a bad day, a really, really bad day, don’t stress it! Just keep trying and keep working at it, its not a race, its only life.
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