Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women

Tips for the Holidays

Are you tired of starting each New Year with extra pounds to shed? This is the time of year that dieters dread. In fact, studies show Americans gain as much as 10 pounds over the holidays. Although this week's "tips" are packed with extra words, I felt they were incredibly timely and just could not "weight". Too often, we use the holidays as an excuse to over-indulge, telling ourselves New Years resolutions are just around the corner.

Even by eating just 200 extra calories a day-a piece of pecan pie and a tumbler of eggnog here, a couple Godiva chocolates, and some sugar cookies there-you could pack on two to three pounds in the next month. That doesn't sound like much, except few people shed that extra weight in the following months and years.

You don't need to deprive yourself, eat only boring foods, or take your treats with a side order of guilt. Instead, by practicing a bit of defensive eating and cooking, you can come through the holidays without making "go on a diet" one of your New Year's resolutions.

• Don't go out on an empty tank. Before setting out for a party, eat something so you don't arrive famished. Excellent pre-party snacks combine complex carbohydrates with protein and unsaturated fat. I often have a protein shake, like Lean Complete, with soy milk.
  

• Take 10 before taking seconds. It takes a few minutes for your stomach's "I'm getting full" signal to get to your brain. After finishing your first helping, take a 10-minute break. Make conversation.

• Drink some water. Then recheck your appetite. You might realize you are full, or want only a small portion of seconds.

• Distance helps the heart stay healthy. At a party, don't stand next to the food table. That makes it harder to mindlessly reach for food as you talk. If you know you are prone to recreational eating, pop a mint or a stick of gum into your mouth so you won't keep reaching for the chips.

• Put on your dancing (or walking) shoes. Dancing is a great way to work off some holiday calories. If you are at a family gathering, suggest a walk before the feast or even between dinner and dessert.

• Be buffet savvy. At a buffet, wander around the food table before putting anything on your plate. By checking out all of your options, you might be less inclined to pile on items one after another.

• Don't shop hungry. Eat before you go shopping so the scent of Cinnabons® or caramel corn doesn't tempt you to gobble treats you don't need. With so much temptation during the holidays, it's important to ask family, friends and co-workers for support. Don't be afraid to tell others of your commitment to improving your health.

• Always take Bios Life with meals and snacks.

To a wonderful holiday season and a healthy New You in the New Year!

Warmest,

Lori