Holiday Survival

With the Holidays around the corner, there will be lots of stuffing…your bellies! Here are some tips to help you be more careful with your eating during the holiday season.

1. Exercise at the start of your day. Starting your day with exercise helps you focus on your fitness as well as making sure you get it done instead of making excuses throughout the day.
2. Drink lots of water! Of course this is always a must on a daily basis, but it’s especially important to keep your metabolism moving and to stay hydrated. Water will also keep your body feeling a little fuller and not as hungry.
3. Plan your meals and snacks for the day. Think about 3 smaller meals and snacks to start a slow day of eating. Small meals will keep your metabolism running and help prevent overeating at dinner.
4. Choose smaller portions and better choices at dinner. You can try everything but have smaller portions. Here are some easy substitutes: grain rolls instead of white, sweet potatoes instead of baked potatoes, green vegetables instead of carrots or corn, PUMPKIN PIE over fruit or pecan pie, and if you’re baking casseroles use a soup base instead of cream. Remember smaller portions with leftovers too!
5. Walk! Try to walk or move before your dinner and after. Start a new tradition and move with your family on a holiday. If it’s cold outside play an interactive game indoors or get creative, try some jumping jacks, marching in place, dancing, or some yoga.  Fight the food induced nap after dinner from the overdose of carbs and fat and get moving.
6. Be Thankful! We’re thankful for you and we hope you’re thankful for plenty this holiday season, especially your health!

If you have any questions, please e-mail me, at info@alignwc.com.  We provide health support for Chicago and the northern suburbs of Chicago including Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Glencoe, and Glenview as part of a chiropractic wellness program.  To learn more about our office, visit http://www.alignwc.com.