Stay Balanced to Enjoy Holiday Eats and Treats

By James M. Rippe, M.D.

December 1, 2008

The secret to staying balanced during the holidays, says a friend, is moderation in all things—including moderation. That old quip contains sound advice. From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, the holiday season is full of treats and temptations. So many parties. So much good food to eat. So many games to watch. It's easy to fall away from a balanced way of eating and to let your goals for physical activity slip. Adopting a few simple strategies can help you enjoy the holidays while maintaining overall balance.

Take a longer view of balanced eating. With parties and treats galore, it's hard to balance each day's nutrition. So think week to week as well as day to day. If you enjoy a rich meal or party fare tonight, for instance, tomorrow be sure to eat a healthful breakfast and for lunch have a salad with lots of veggies, nonfat dressing and a side whole-grain roll. Also check out the holiday recipes for balanced living in our Eat Well section. The goal is overall balance.
Fit activity into the nooks and crannies of holidays. Most people find that they can work a walk into most days. Invite holiday guests or hosts to walk with you. If you're shopping, take time for a brisk walk around the mall with shopping buddies. Enjoy outdoor activities with children and grandchildren. Rob Pohl's activity blog offers more suggestions.
Relax and enjoy time spent with family and friends. Often we rush around trying to create the perfect meal or stage the perfect party. Then, we're too tired to really enjoy the event. How much is enough? When does making a special effort move from being fun and creative to being a burden? As you make your plans, remember that the end goal is to have time to enjoy family and friends, and set limits on preparation that will enable you to have that time for enjoyment.
Take breaks from the hustle and bustle. Just a few minutes of personal time, preferably daily, can make the difference between feeling stressed out or ready to enjoy holiday activities. A daily walk can be that time (and you'll get activity, too). Or put your feet up, turn off the cell phone, and read or listen to music for 30 minutes.

With just a little forethought, you can enjoy the holidays while maintaining the balance you've worked so hard at.

Topics: Mood/Attitude, Healthy Cooking, Seasonal Advice, Caring for Yourself, Fast/Easy Exercise

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