Even if you have been good all year, eating healthy and working out regularly, it’s hard to stay on your diet and exercise regime once the holidays start. Did you know that just by eating an extra 200 calories a day, you can gain almost 3 pounds by the time the new year rolls around?
Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t mean sacrificing all of your favorite foods, but it can require a little bit of restraint. Here are four tips for staying healthy during the holidays.
4 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays
Drink plenty of water. The holiday season is full of drinks that can pack on the calories, including eggnog, alcohol, and specialty coffee, and you don’t have to refuse all of these offerings. Still, it’s a good practice to get in the habit of drinking a glass of water between servings of alcohol or limiting yourself to only one specialty coffee a day.
Maintain your workout routine. It can be difficult to stick to a strict eating plan, but you can always maintain an exercise routine throughout the holidays. Keeping up with your exercise routine doesn’t give you the license to eat more food, but it will keep you on track mentally and prevent you from gaining too much weight once the holidays are over.
Load up on fruits and veggies. Between the turkey, dressing, and sweet dessert, don’t forget to eat your fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables can make great snacks and side dishes. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals, so you can still get all of the nutrients you need during the holidays.
Have a snack before the party. Finally, don’t attend parties on an empty stomach. When you’re hungry, it gets harder to make healthy eating decisions, so don’t hesitate to eat a high-quality snack, such as Jawbox Jerky, before you attend any holiday party.
It’s tempting to throw your diet for the six-week holiday season, but come January, you feel the effects of such a decision, both physically and mentally. You don’t have to sacrifice all the good foods and drinks of the holidays, but these four tips can help you enjoy the holidays without completely throwing away your diet.
