Five ideas to help undo the holiday damage

Five ideas to help undo the holiday damage
The Western Star
by Jacqui Boyle
12/24/12

Many people will indulge (or maybe even overindulge) and eat special feasts with their loved ones today and throughout the rest of holiday season.

We asked Darlene Reid, senior health and wellness director of the Coffman Family YMCA in Springboro, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, to share five ideas on how to help offset the damage. Reid is a certified group exercise and personal trainer, and nutrition and wellness consultant.

1. “Find time to add an extra workout in or add extra time onto your current workout regimen. Exercise is always a great tool to control weight gain. The holidays are upon us, and we know that we are going to be eating with friends and family more than usual with all the get-togethers. Adding some extra workout time can help with the extra calories you will be consuming.”

2. “Drink a lot of water before eating and drinking. This will fill you up, and you’re less likely to eat as much. Many folks think they are hungry when actually they are thirsty. You can also drink water before you start to drink adult beverages to slow down your consumption.”

3. “Carry a lunch bag with healthy snacks at all times. This is (a) good habit all year round but especially during the holidays. Keeping healthy snacks on you keeps you prepared when all of those fabulous holiday treats come into your office, and it will allow you to be less likely to eat them or as much of them.”

4. “Don’t skip breakfast or meals throughout the day to save up for that holiday party. Big no. Breakfast, as we all know, is the most important meal of the day. People think that skipping meals to save up (for) those holiday calories is good, but in actuality, can make you eat more. And on a side note, (your) body does not need that many calories at once, so the calories your body does not use it stores in your body.”

5. “As the old adage says, ‘Everything in moderation.’ This is so true during the holiday season. Pace yourself. Our eyes are always bigger than our stomachs, and it is important to start small. Wait a few minutes, and if you are still hungry, go back for another small portion, and repeat if needed. By doing this, you allow your stomach to catch up to your eyes, and you will know if you are really hungry for that next plate.”