Healthy Weight Management for the Holidays

If you're looking for a little help keeping your waistline from expanding to Santa-like dimensions this holiday season, the best way to do that is to focus on staying healthy. Diets can feel like self-denial, while a new-found commitment to living healthily can be a great way to increase your self-awareness and encourage yourself to make better holiday choices.

Here are a few tips to keep sane (and slim) this holiday season:

• Don't deny yourself special holiday treats, simply help yourself to a small serving and stop after one.
   
• Be realistic: this is not the time to lose weight. Goal for maintaining your weight instead.
   
• Move around: take a walk with your family after dinner, rather than crashing out on the couch. Pick a parking spot further away from the store to get some exercise, or do a few laps around the mall before you start shopping.
   
• Stick to your exercise routine: feeling festive is no reason not to hit the gym. In fact, it will be a lot easier to eat that cookie or have a glass of eggnog if you know that you'll be sweating it off in spin class the next day.
   
• Trying talking rather than eating- if you strike up a conversation at a holiday party, you're less likely to find yourself grazing at the food table.
   
• Learn to say no- if you don't want to eat something, go somewhere, or do something, you have the right to decline. Be kind and courteous while respecting your own needs and desires.
   
• Have a snack at home: before you head out, eat a healthy snack- a handful of nuts, a bowl of fruit and granola with yogurt, etc. This will keep you from falling prey to sugary holiday foods when what you really need is sustenance.
   
• Avoid temptation: don't sit next to the desert table or leave cookies and candies out and about where you'll be tempted. If you get something unhealthy as a gift, share it with others or take it to a potluck.
   
• If you're going to be on the road, pack some healthy snack options.
   
• Offer to bring a salad or a healthy side to potlucks. That way, you know there will be a least one healthful item available.