Let’s face it, it is tough to stay on track in the holidays! The short, cold days make no one want to exercise and all the smells of Thanksgiving and Christmas make us want to eat every goodie in sight! And there are typically lots in sight! It is the holidays after all, you should get to enjoy the sounds and smells, but in order to not be mad at yourself in January, there are a few things you can do to keep the waistline trim. Check out these 5 tips to keep you and your waistline on track for the holidays!

1. Eating on the Run

The holidays bring lots of errands, lots of shopping, and thus lots of eating on-the-go.  From drive-thrus to mall food courts it is easy to grab a bite and get back to the shopping.  So here are some ways to eat fast and eat healthy:

• Order a grilled chicken sandwich, wrap or salad & get the sauce on the side
• Sub a salad, fruit cup, yogurt parfait or carton of milk for French fries
• Skip the soda, milkshake, and sweet tea and go with water

2. Parties & Family Gatherings

The holidays also bring lots of parties and gatherings of family and friends. The challenge is that all of these events usually revolve around food and cocktails and it is easy to over-eat bite-size foods. So, in order to control your cravings at the party, prepare throughout the day…

• Do NOT skip meals all day – Eat small meals/snacks all day so that you are not starving upon arriving
• Eat a small healthy snack with carbohydrate AND protein right before the party (i.e. small energy bar, whole grain crackers & a string cheese, handful of nuts and berries, etc.)
• Use the “small” plate at the party and don’t stand post by the food table…get your food and leave the area

3. Office Goodies

Many people bring “goodies” to work around the holidays which makes it harder to “be good” nutritionally. So, be the healthy person in your office…bring the fruit or veggie tray and nibble on that. Here are some other office-eating tips…

• Eat a good breakfast of carbohydrate, lean protein and healthy fat so you are not hungry when you get to work and can avoid the doughnut/pastry table
• Bring your lunch and snacks so that you are not grazing through the office kitchen all day looking for food
• Pick one day that you will “treat” yourself on office goodies and be satisfied with that one day

4. Cocktails

Wine, martinis and champagne…oh how the calories can add up! Alcohol is full of empty calories meaning it has a good amount of calories with no nutrients. The real problem, however, is that alcohol does not make you full like food does so you keep drinking those extra calories. So, make your first goal to drink water when you get to the party. Then have a drink or two throughout the evening and alternate water in between.

• 4-5 oz wine or champagne = 100-120 calories
• 12 oz light beer = 110 calories (avoid the regular that has over 150 calories per serving)
• Avoid things like margaritas and fruity drinks as they can have anywhere from 250-600 calories per drink

5. Exercise

Don’t forget to exercise this holiday season! People get busy with shopping and parties and abandon their fitness routine which can contribute to weight gain. Even if you can’t get the whole workout in, do something! Get creative adding extra activity to your day if you don’t have time to get to the gym.

• Wear your tennies to the mall, get there early and power walk around it a few times before shopping
• If you only have 30 minutes at the gym and you usually spend an hour on the treadmill at 5mph, bust that baby up to 6 mph and get it done in 30 minutes
• There will be crowds everywhere!  Don’t drive around waiting for a parking place.  Park at the back and power walk yourself in the mall, grocery store or wherever you are!