Awww... the holiday season is now upon us. Such cheer and joy surrounding everyone. It is also the time of year when all bad habits creep back into our lives to haunt us with those little jabs like, "It's ok, the holidays only come once a year..." or "I'm starting my healthy eating diet in the new year..." This holiday season, let us approach with a new and improved attitude and let ourselves know that , "I am going to eat what I want, but I am also going to be conscious and aware of the foods that I am eating and how much of those foods I am inserting into my mouth." That sounds fair enough, right? So, please try to avoid the cliche of "A Moment on the Lips, Forever on the Hips"... Did you know that to burn off one pound of fat, approximately 3,500 calories must be burned. Walking on a treadmill for one hour at a moderate pace / elevation burns between 300 - 500 calories... You do the math. So next time, remember this before you go crazy sampling all the fancy h'orderves and deserts. Practice a little self control and you can thank me for it later... :) So, here are ten health tips to arm ourselves with when headed to that highly anticipated year end office party or family holiday gathering this season. Do not go to a party hungry: we tend to pig out a little more when we are famished, therefore be sure to eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day to avoid overeating at the party. Trying eating a handful of delicious almonds before you enter the party, this will help to curb our appetite. Watch your portion size: treat yourself to dessert or chocolate without guilt, but always watch your portion. The smaller the portions the better off you are. This way you can sample all the different foods. Moderation is always the key. Before going for that second helping, give yourself 15 minutes rest and then decide to hit the buffet again if the desire is still there. Make a conscious choice to limit high fat items: high fat food items can be found in fried food, cream-based soup, cheese-filled casseroles, pies, processed meats such as salami and sausages, some pastries and baked goods. Drink plenty of water: alcohol and coffee can dehydrate your body. Physical activity: take nice brisk walks with your loved ones and enjoy their company in the holiday season. Don’t waste calories on foods you don’t like or foods you can have anytime. Don’t buy candy or goodies too far ahead of event. Once purchased, keep out of sight. Alcohol can be very fattening and is high in calories. Think healthy and trying sticking to red wine, light beer, and champagne for the night. If you’re bringing a dish to share, make it healthful and delicious. That way you know there will be one thing that you can munch on without racking up calories too fast! Wishing you all a safe and wonderful holiday season. Thanks For Choosing Rockin' Wellness!RW2U :) Seth
