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Do holidays equal unwanted calories?

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Food, General, Health, Nutrition

It used to be said that from Thanksgiving until New Years the average person could put on 5 pounds due to all the gatherings abounding in varieties of goodies. Do I dare start with the long list of carbs that are at the average Thanksgiving table? Dinner and dessert would probably add up to the amount of calories many people need to cover two days worth of eating. Not to sound negative and take all the fun out of the holidays, but is it really that fun when your clothes don’t fit? Or when you don’t feel well because you put your body into an unhealthy state with all the sugars from sugary treats and from things like stuffing. Oh bah hum bug you may say it’s just a special time of year where we can enjoy so let’s just enjoy and worry about it later! Is that your philosophy? How’s that working for you?

One of the phrases I often share with my clients is “30 extra calories a day is 3 pounds in a year”. Good or bad I wear my clothes tight enough that if I gained 3 pounds I would not fit them. My clothes are like my girdle, what’s a girdle? The older version of spanks! I have a lot of little things I do to help me maintain my goals to stay healthy and fit and trim. It takes effort and concientious decision making. I found a plan that works for me to help me feel well and stay where I am comfortable in my skin.

I don’t believe there is a one size fits all plan for eating or working out. You do have to find your own way to live based on good science and deliberate choices. Any kind of food in excess can cause you to eat too many calories. Remember the law of calories verses calories out in order to lose, gain or maintain weight. You can be vegan and still get too many calories, I’ve seen gluten free dieters eat a lot of junk that does not contribute to the necessary functions of the body and yet they consider that they are doing a good thing for themselves. Alcohol can add a lot of calories to a day so pick your poison. Alcohol has no nutritional value and most is just a toxin your liver has to deal with, so pick your poison.  I’m not planning on telling you now or ever what kind of diet you must follow but I plan to give you some of my practices to help you avoid gaining weight during the holidays.

First and most important to me life is about people not food. I would rather spend my time socializing. Talking and laughing with the ones I love. I have found that if things are coming out of my mouth, nothing is going in! I walk around and visit with everyone and don’t really look at the food. I eat before I go because my health is the reason I eat and yes I still enjoy my food even if it is the healthy variety. Drink water or tea, herbal teas offer a  lot of variety now. If you really want a treat of some kind plan ahead and eat a little less the day before and the day after. Tell yourself things like: “I eat to live, I don’t live to eat”. “Nothing tastes as good as looking good feels”. “20 minutes on my lips, how long on my hips?”

It’s your life, it’s your decision….make it what you really want it to be.

 



“Darla’s uplifting attitude is extremely refreshing and her words of encouragement are given often and greatly appreciated! When working with Darla, you can’t help but want to do your best. Her extensive knowledge of physical fitness allows her to personalize your exercise. Most importantly, Darla provides exercises and valuable nutritional information to keep you healthy the rest of your life!”

Karen from Pen Argyl, PA
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