Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 HI GRETCHEN, WOW...THAT IS A VERY GOOD ARTICLE TO ALL OF US ! LOVE IT. THANKS JOANA > > The " Season of Indulgence " Has Arrived - Key to Staying Healthy is > Remaining Active, American Council on Exercise > > http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=32837 > > Tempting Halloween treats are on store shelves everywhere and holiday > party invitations are already pouring in - the holidays are > officially here. The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's > nonprofit fitness authority, offers tips on how to stay fit and avoid > the typical weight gain and stress associated with the busy holiday > season. > > 1 - Take time for yourself. Although spending time with friends and > family is essential, it's also important to carve out some relaxation > time (at least five minutes) for yourself. Try practicing deep > breathing when you feel stressed out. > > 2 - Don't set unrealistic exercise goals. Aim to exercise 30 minutes > a day instead of an hour; it's okay to divide it up into eight to 10 > minute intervals throughout the day. You'll be much more likely to > achieve such a reasonable goal and avoid unnecessary guilt. > > 3 - Enlist the support of a friend or family member. Walking and > talking with a friend can be a great way to socialize, burn extra > calories and reduce your stress level. Working out with a partner has > been consistently shown to help individuals stick with their workout. > > 4 - Create new, more active traditions. Instead of throwing a dessert > or cocktail party, try ice-skating or Nordic walking with ski poles > as an alternate holiday event. Play powder puff football or build a > snowman. > > 5 - Don't try to stick to an overly restrictive diet this holiday > season. If you enjoy your favorite foods in small portions, you'll > feel more satisfied. Trying to stay away from certain foods may leave > you feeling deprived, which may cause you to eat more than you > intended to. > > 6 - Drink plenty of water. Although the cold weather may make you > less inclined to grab a glass of water, it is just as important in > the winter as it is during the summer. Water helps counter the > dehydrating effects of travel or drinking alcoholic beverages, and it > may also help satiate your appetite since thirst is often mistaken > for hunger. > > Don't feel like you have to eat everything at once. Try eating dinner > early and then taking a walk before sitting down for dessert. > > 8 - Avoid or limit liquid calories. Many popular holiday beverages > contain stimulants (e.g. alcohol or caffeine) that will only cause > you potentially more grief in the end by adding to your feelings of > stress and increase your blood sugar levels causing you to eat more. > Try having a glass of sparkling water after a glass of wine or cup of > eggnog. > > 9 - Don't aim for perfection, and enjoy the imperfections. There is > no such thing as the perfect party or the perfect decorations or the > perfect way to spend the holidays. Don't set yourself up for > disappointment by placing unrealistic demands on yourself. > > 10 - Make your workouts a priority. Try to exercise first thing in > the morning before other demands sidetrack you. Individuals with an > early-morning exercise routine tend to be more consistent when > pressed for time. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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