Smart Choices
Luke Pamer with Connie Lehman, Registered Dietician & Certified Fitness Trainer
Five Healthy Holiday Habits
The holidays are always a struggle
for those of us who want to keep on
track with our nutrition and fitness
goals. There are many opportunities
during these extended holiday months
from October to January to eat unhealthily that test our abilities to eat
well. There is also an unusually high
amount of stress during these months
as well as a different schedule.
Most Americans only gain about
one pound of fat during the seasonal
eating. This is good news right? Wrong.
After gaining a pound, most Americans
don’t take the extra weight off and the
pounds add up year by year and threaten our well-being and our health. What
can we do to avoid the holiday gain yet
enjoy the special times together with
friends and family? Try these tips:
Pick 2 Favorite Holiday Foods
for each holiday and answer the following questions:
A. How can I work at being satisfied with smaller portions of my favorites? Some ideas are to eat them slowly,
savor each bite or give away extras.
B. How can I plan to avoid other
high calorie food and drinks which are
not my favorite top two? Some ideas:
simplify meals to not include some
of the other foods, taste a bite or two
of someone else’s portion, fill up on
more of the low-calorie foods, such as
vegetables, soups, and salads.
Take A Healthy Dish To CarryIns. Be the one to offer to bring a vegetable tray or try a low-fat
recipe. Look carefully
over the foods ofSponsored by
fered at get-togethers..
Down-Size Eating Out. Portions
are too large at almost every restaurant
in this area of the country. The typical
meal weighs in at 1200 calories! Plan
to always share an entrée or choose
only from the a la carte menu, never
get the buffet, avoid all fried foods
such as fries or fried fish and don’t
order drinks that provide calories. See
tip number one, pass on the dessert
and wait for your favorite holiday treat
later. It will really be a treat!
Be Physically Active. Don’t roll
your eyes and skip over this part, this
is important! Think ahead and plan
ahead. Shopping? Start with a ten
minute walk in the mall. Relatives
coming? Invite them to go for a walk
as you catch up on their lives. Children
coming? Get up and play with them!
Buy a pedometer and wear it, trying to
increase your steps each day through
the holidays.
Simplify. You know that little
voice that each year tells you to stop
doing so much in the holidays? Listen
and obey this time! Decorate less, bake
less, buy less. Refuse to be burdened
by others’ (or your own) unrealistic expectations. Find one way to make the
holiday this year more meaningful and
less excessive. Your improved health
will be a lovely gift to enjoy.
Authentic Mexican Food
& American Breakfast
• Daily Lunch Specials
• Come & enjoy the
Chimi Acapulco!
260-593-2252 • 101 N Main. St. • Topeka, IN
110 Redman Dr.
Topeka, IN 46571
260-593-0173
Kid’s Day Slated In
Shipshewana
“Passport to Fun!” Children pick
up their free “Passport to Fun” and
itinerary at The Davis Mercantile and
travel to locations throughout Shipshewana for a day of activities and surprises. This year, Kids’ Day is Saturday,
December 10, starting at 9 am.
Krista and Matthew Byler participate in one of the
Kid’s Day activities last year. They are trying to
get a cookie from their forehead to their mouth ...
without using their hands! 2010 Photo Submitted
King Animal Care Clinic
620 E Lake St. • Topeka, IN 46571 • 260.593.2482
Customer
Appreciation
Day
The staff of King Animal Clinic
would like to thank you, our
customers, for your business
this past year. To show our
appreciation, we invite you to
stop in our office on Tuesday,
December 20 for refreshments
and prize drawings and receive
10% Off your purchase.
We wish you and your
loved ones a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!
The Hometown Treasure · Dec. ‘11 · pg 23