BodyWorks

“Walk it Off”
Bonnie McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief

This is a wonderful time of the year with good cheer spreading everywhere. Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa celebrations are the things of tradition. And when you add office parties and house parties, it is no wonder that good cheer is not the only thing that spreads during the holiday season.

The holiday season is a time that should be celebrated, along with all of the wonderful foods, if it is done in moderation. But even if you watch your consumption, it is still a challenge not to put on those extra pounds. So what is one to do? Here are some suggestions that you might want to try:

  1. Be aware of what you are eating and take your time when you are eating it. Most of us eat too much because we don’t allow our “full” triggers ample time to go off. Instead of rushing, chew your foods slowly and savor the moment.
  2. Focus on eating foods that require you to chew. These are usually a safe bet as they are most likely “whole”, in other words, not processed. Steer clear of rich sauces as they usually spell an enormous amount of calories.
  3. When entertaining at home flavor and sear meats and add lots of herbs and vegetables to give your dishes flavor. Once seared, transfer to a hot oven to finish for a few minutes to seal in the juices and increase the flavor.
  4. Limit sweets as much as possible. And if you must, have a small cookie. Flavored coffees and punches should be enjoyed in moderation. Opt instead for herbal teas and add lots of lemon, fresh orange juice and sweeten with agave Nectar or Stevia.

One of the most effective ways to enjoy the season guilt free is to increase your physical activity. And the cheapest and easiest way to do that is by walking. Despite the press given to gyms and exercise equipment, walking is by far the best and perhaps safest workout you can do at any age.

So here are some tips to get you on track:

  1. Keep a payment jar to add a walking ticket for each treat you allow yourself. For instance for one cookie, add a slip of paper with a ticket to walk at least twenty minutes to pay for it. Once the twenty minutes has been met, remove the slip from the jar; and so forth and so on.
  2. Plan to walk at least twenty minutes 6 days a week during the holiday season and add additional time to this for every treat you allow yourself. For example if you have a cookie you will need to walk the regular twenty minutes, plus an additional twenty for a total of 40 minutes to pay for the cookie. The times will have to be adjusted according to the caloric count of the treat you allow yourself.
  3. Make it a family affair. Invite your children and spouse or friend to join in the walk. Or use the walk as a time of meditation and reflection. You can also use this time to decompress and spend some alone time with yourself.
  4. Mix it up by driving to a downtown area and walk the town to take in the Christmas window decorations. This time will not only help you to get in your exercise, but it will also prove to be less boring.
  5. Think of it as time to pay forward to you your good health and less stress about losing weight in the coming new year.

Happy Holidays!