7 Ways To Stay Fit This Holiday Season

From experience I can definitely tell you that gaining
weight around the holidays (especially after your mid 20’s are over) is
extremely easy.  All that food, all those
sweets, all those holiday traditions can really take over your self control and
leave you with 20 extra lbs to lose on top of the 15 you already wanted to
lose.  A few months ago I started my weight
loss journey and it took me quite a few months and lots of discipline to get
rid of that first 20, now I’m working on that 15.  I’ve kind of been at a stand still with
weight loss due to how much has been going on lately.  However, this holiday season, I will not
allow myself to gain that much weight.  I
can make due with 5 lbs but that’s it.  5
lbs is my max.  I decided that since I
learned from my mistakes last year and trust me having the discipline to drop
20 lbs was A LOT of hard work so I kind of want to be lazy this year and only
deal with a 5 lbs weight gain.  Here are
the top 7 ways to stay fit this holiday season and take it from a girl who did
the exact opposite of some of these things last year!

1.  Portion Control

Not only will this help you stay at your weight now, but it
will reduce the drowsiness that comes with overeating.  We all know that food coma we go into after
Thanksgiving dinner, and sleeping (even if it is just a nap) after eating a lot
is terrible for your body.

2.  Cut back on Holiday Drinks

Instead of getting the holiday drinks at Starbucks or Dunkin
Donuts everyday get a regular coffee and then maybe once a week or every two
weeks get the holiday drink.  You don’t
need a peppermint mocha latte with whipped cream every day to be in the holiday
spirit.  I actually went on the Starbucks
website to check out the nutrition facts with this and here is a little break
down for your holiday drinks with whole milk AND whipped cream for a grande, medium,
or 16oz, if you ask me it’s kind of scary:

Caramel Brulee Latte

470 Calories

17 Fat (g)

69 Carbs (g)

250 Sodium

Gingerbread Latte

360 Calories

17 Fat (g)

42 Carbs (g)

150 Sodium

Peppermint Mocha

440 Calories

19 Fat (g)

63 Carbs (g)

125 Sodium

Chestnut Praline Mocha

370 Calories

17 Fat (g)

42 Carbs (g)

140 Sodium

(source)

3.  Drink lots of water

I say this all the time, but seriously chug that water.  It’ll help flush out your system and if you’re
going to be drinking those holiday drinks everyday you’re going to need to keep
yourself hydrated, I mean, did you see how much sodium is in that first drink?

4.  Baking/Cooking differently

Since I started baking I have been on a health kick with
trying to find new recipes that are ok for my mom to eat.  She’s diabetic so I’ve been looking for a lot
of substitutes in baking.  Trust me,
there are A LOT of recipes out there to try. 
I’ve even tried a vegan recipe and it was pretty tastey.  When it comes to cooking my mom has started
figuring out different recipes and substitutes on a healthier dinner.  Don’t get me wrong the fake cranberry stuff
that comes from the can that is in the perfect shape of that very same can is
tastey but my mom’s homemade cranberry sauce is way better, and it makes the
house smell so good!

5.  Shopping

We all know how crowded the malls get during the holidays
and how hot it gets when shopping.  My
recommendation (this is what I do) don’t wear layers that you can’t take off
and stick in your purse.  I usually leave
my coat in the car because I use my shopping time as a really mini
workout.  I don’t use elevators and
rarely ever use escalators, I take the stairs. 
On top of that I walk A LOT when I’m at the mall.  It’s almost like I’m on a mission.  Power walk instead of lethargically dragging
your feet and walking like you’re trapped in the desert with no water.  Go to as many stores as possible and don’t
stop at the food court even though I know how good it all smells.  Thankfully all the stores by the food court
are none that I shop at!

6.  Cinnamon

Cinnamon is very holiday’ish and actually it has some nutritional
benefits behind it too.  I put a little bit of cinnamon in my coffee and oatmeal.  Are you
diabetic?  This is perfect for you.

The intake of 1, 3,
or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL
cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest
that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will
reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
(source)

7.  Family Activities  

The holidays are about family right? 
How about instead of taking seconds at the dinner table just because “I only
pig out like this every once in a while” go for a walk or go outside and play
football (I know some families that do that), then come back in and grab your
seconds if you still even want them.