Family, friends, food, and booze! It doesn't get any better then that, right?! Well, I may have to agree with you here. There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself during the holidays as long as you bring some will power with you. There is no reason to eat more than you normally eat just because it's a holiday. Face it, you know there will be tons of delicious, fattening foods waiting for you to arrive and feast on them. Knowing this, DO NOT over-stuff yourself with that extra serving that we all know you have ZERO room for. Ask your skinny jeans, or those new slim fit slacks you are wearing (yeah, I wear slim fit slacks- they accentuate my glutes; this is why I squat and dead lift), I bet they'll agree with me when your gut and love handles begin to pour out of them.
My goal isn't to make you feel guilty about stuffing your face over the holidays. I actually believe everyone should enjoy the food that they love to eat, especially when visiting friends and family. I mean how often do these major holidays come around?! I just want you to think twice before inhaling all the food in the room. Here are a few tips that I've come up with to help you get through the holidays without growing a gut like our friend Saint Nick.
TRIM THE FAT
To shave calories, go easy when adding nuts, cheese, cream sauces, gravy, butter, and whipped cream. These additions don't add much to the meal, but can add plenty to your waistline. Trim calories wherever you can so you leave the party feeling satisfied, but not stuffed.
DRESS SNUG
Yeah that's right, wear something snug and sexy; not an ugly Christmas sweater and your jeans with an elastic waistband. Chances are, if you're wearing snug-fitting attire you will be busy keeping that core tight and making yourself look svelte, not overeating. Also, while looking sexy in your snug-fitting holiday outfit keep a drink in hand; this will keep at least one hand from picking at all the food in front of your face.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Eat your food slowly! Remember why you are at this party - to socialize and enjoy yourself. Don't be that guy or gal in the corner inhaling their food! Eating slowly gives your body time to digest properly and leaves you feeling full.
BE PICKY
Scan the buffet for foods that you don't get to eat all the time and skip the everyday dishes that are available all year long. And don't think it's your responsibility to sample everything on the buffet. Go ahead and indulge in your personal holiday favorites in reasonable portions. Yes that's right, portions. Just because it's the holidays does not mean we get to treat ourselves to heaping plates that we'd normally scorn at.
DON'T SKIP MEALS
Just like any other day, you want to start your day with a nice big breakfast, then a snack, a light lunch, and then have another snack before attending your party. Don't starve yourself all day knowing that you are going to be surrounded by delicious food later on. That may be THE worst thing you can do.
CUT BACK ON THE BOOZE
Alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic drinks such as water to save some calories. After all, it is a holiday party and not a college frat party. Enjoy a glass of wine, or a low calorie cocktail. But, not too many! Alcoholic beverages contain a ton of calories. Make a choice- food or booze. Personally, I would save it for the food :).
SCRATCH THE APPS
If you need a little nibble before the meal, go for the veggies, fruit, salsa, or a small handful of nuts. Save your appetite for the good stuff!
LIMIT THE VARIETY
Brian Wansink, PhD, author of Mindless Eating, suggests putting only two items on your plate when you go to the food table. Return as many times as you like, but only take two items each time. "Variety stimulates appetite, and if you limit your choices to just a few items and stick with these, it will be easier to control than eating a little bit of 20 different dishes."
THE PRE-HOLIDAY PARTY WORKOUT
Here you have a simple,yet effective mini workout for you to do before eating yourself into a coma. Enjoy!
THE "WARM UP": 3 ROUNDS
STRAIGHT ARM PLANK: 30 second (count if you don't have a timer)
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS: 40 total (20 on each side)
SQUAT JACKS: 10 reps
SQUAT THRUSTS: 5 reps
"JUST THE BASICS" QUADRUPLET: 4 ROUNDS as fast as you can
20 AIR SQUATS (make sure your hips get lower than your knees)
15 GLUTE BRIDGES w/10 second hold on the last one
10 HAND RELEASE PUSH UPS
5 BURPEES
TRIPLET: 5 ROUNDS
10 WALKING LUNGES
15 DIPS (or triceps push ups)
20 SIT UPS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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