Avoiding the 'Seasonal Seven'

The holiday season is quickly approaching and many of us will try to avoid the “Seasonal Seven.” That's the average weight most of us will gain between Thanksgiving and the New Year! The holiday season isn’t just one or two days of overeating. You have parties and dinners that include alcohol, more snacks, more finger foods and appetizers that extend from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

So what exactly should you do?

Stay Active

A lot of holiday weight gain happens because of being inactive. We are bombarded with holiday shopping, errands and family activities. It also gets darker earlier and the cold keeps us in. One way to help is to keep to your regular schedule. This will reduce the stress and give you more energy.

Don't Starve Yourself

One of the many mistakes people make is starving themselves beforehand so they can eat more of their favorites during the holidays. By the time dinner comes, you are so hungry that you lose self-control, and you overeat. Try to keep to your regular eating schedule as much as possible so that you don't overeat. Also, don’t forget to eat a snack before you go to a party.

Choose healthier options

You can eat what is being served but check out the different choices you can make. White turkey meat is a great source of lean protein. Vegetables that are not smothered in butter and salt, salad that does not have a lot of dressing, and sweet potatoes and cranberries are all healthier food choices. You can also make other dishes healthier by changing the ingredients slightly.

Enjoy What You Love

In general, eat what you want, but in moderation. You do not want to set yourself up for defeat, so eat the slice of pecan pie instead of going for the pumpkin pie, which is healthier. You don't want to feel unsatisfied with just the pumpkin pie and then have to have the pecan pie to fulfill your craving. Eat what you want and be satisfied in the beginning.

Don't Try To Start A New Diet During the Holidays

If you do, you're only setting yourself up for defeat. Stay healthy but don't be too restrictive.

Holidays Are Just Days

Enjoy yourself on the particular holiday but then go right back to your normal healthy eating plan. The holidays are just days, not weeks, not months, just days. Don’t use the season as an excuse to overeat and regret it next year.

Take Time For You

DON'T STRESS YOURSELF OUT! We all feel it during the holidays while running around making sure we have everything we need. Find something to do that will curb your stress that has nothing to do with food. Read a book, take a yoga class or go to the gym to help relieve the stress.

Give The Gift of Health

Give a health-related gift to someone you love to encourage the habit all year. Make a commitment to your body and teach what you've learned to those you love.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

The holiday season is full of love, laughter and lots of good food. Let your body tell you what it wants, needs and what it can do without. Live a little but don't overdo it and stay true to yourself and your needs.

Try Getting Out in the Yard

A little yard work before that big holiday gathering to make your yard look nice may help burn some calories. Get out and rake or put out some holiday decorations.