HEALTH & WELLNESS Healthy lifestyle tips for the holidays
Maintaining a healthy weight – and trying not to gain weight – during the holidays can be challenging . Holiday parties and family gatherings present special challenges when it comes to eating healthily , often threatening to railroad your best-intentioned plans to try not to gain weight during the season . A good goal for this time of year is to savor the holiday moments but not give opportunity to regret overindulging after the season has passed !
With just a little planning , you ’ ll still enjoy goodies and parties without worrying about gaining weight or the toll on your heart ! And you ’ ll be doing yourself a favor by setting your goal on weight maintenance while still savoring great-tasting foods .
Try these tested tips to help keep you on track during holiday celebrations :
• Grab a healthy snack to eat before leaving home ; this reduces your risk of overeating at the party .
• Be in control . Have your plan in mind before you enter the room . Decide ahead of time to check out the buffet foods or salad bar first and then look around , deciding what and how much you ’ ll eat .
• Be aware of your portions . If you really want to have something offering little nutritional value , then just limit your intake of it . You can enjoy less – maybe a half-cup of eggnog or a dollop of rich gravy – and still savor all the delicious flavors .
• Be aware of mindless eating . Don ’ t squander precious calories on something stale , store-bought or blah during a coffee break
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM or meeting . Make a promise to yourself that you ’ ll wait , instead and savor every bite of those delish holiday treats .
• Save the best for last . Being mindful of what you ’ re eating during the holidays doesn ’ t mean you have to deprive yourself of holiday goodies . Just save the goodies for last , eating those healthy salads , crunchy vegetables and fruits first .
• If you already have an exercise schedule , don ’ t throw it out the window during the busy holidays . With stressors in abundance , emotional bingeing on unhealthy foods can derail your good intentions . But did you know that exercise can be an extremely effective stress reliever ? Try these simple tips to down your stress and up your outlook :
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator .
• Park a little further from that store , to add more steps in your day .
• Step up the pace while you ’ re shopping .
• Don ’ t forget : Plan ahead to stroll around the block after that wonderful dinner , or even before enjoying it .
Remember : Every good thing you do for your health – each healthier choice in the moment – adds up to a better quality of life !
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more information about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center ’ s leading-edge technologies can improve your quality of life , call 800-555-1990 , option 4 or request info / an appointment by visiting www . demanddeborah . org .
92 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2017