The “Season of Indulgence” Has Arrived - Key to Staying Healthy is Remaining Act

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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.