Holiday Diet Survival Guide

Nov 16th, 2010

Here is a snap shot of the next 6 weeks: Parties, food, booze, harried shopping, food, holiday decorating and food. Did I mention food? This is the absolute hardest time to keep your diet on track but it is not impossible. Stop rolling your eyes and stick with me. Follow these tips and I promise you will be able to button those skinny jeans come January 2.

1. Start Now. I like to go into the season in fighting shape. Step-up your workouts before the whirlwind begins. Add a few extra minutes to your cardio, workout 5 days instead of 4 and don’t forget to pick-up those weights. Also, make it a goal not to eat out AT ALL during the week. The better you feel and look the less likely you are too splurge come the weekend.

2. Eat. Okay, I probably just confused you. One of my stay-slim diet tricks is to always eat before I leave the house. You never want to go to a party hungry. This will only lead to bad food choices. Bad food choices lead to big butts. Big Butts lead to skinny jeans that cannot be buttoned. So, eat a small high-protein meal before you head out the door and I guarantee you will choose wiser and less fattening food to munch at the party.

3. Drink…Water. No matter the season, staying hydrated is crucial. Drinking water will curb your appetite and help balance out the extra holiday sodium intake. ie: no morning sausage fingers. Additionally, drink a glass of water between each cocktail. This is a two-fold strategy: 1. you won’t be acting a fool 2. Your fingers and your head will thank you in the a.m.

4. Quell the Voices. Indulging here and there is healthy and frankly, fun. The problem with the holidays is the occasional indulgence becomes less occasional and more common-place. We all have a voice in our head that says “Oh, I can have another piece of pie. I’ll just be good tomorrow.” That would be all fine and dandy if there wasn’t yet another party to go to tomorrow, dinner with relatives two days after that, followed by the office holiday potluck and then topped off with the neighborhood holiday block party. It all adds up and before you know it – those skinny jeans won’t button. Pick the event you want to enjoy a little extra in advance. Mine is Thanksgiving at my parents. Be prepared to lose an appendage if you come between me and my mama’s homemade mac n’ cheese and rum cake. It’s okay to indulge just don’t use every party as an excuse to do so.