The leaves are changing colors, the air is getting chillier, and the nights are getting longer. Halloween is a thing of the past and now November is upon us, marking it officially as holiday season! Although holiday season brings us the joys of spending more time with family and friends, the best part of this time of year for many of us is the food. The feasts during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Chanukah, always bring us so much delight, but also so many calories. I know the last thing any of us want to be thinking about while digging into our third slice of pumpkin pie is how healthy we are eating. Go ahead and eat to your heart’s content, but try to workout to balance your eating habits.
If you are a cardio girl, there are many options at your disposal. Running is always a great option, however, it is starting to cool down a bit outside. If you are worried about the cold weather, opt for either a treadmill or elliptical. Both will help burn off last night’s meal while also giving you some time to catch up on Netflix’s latest fall television shows.
Another option is taking a Zumba class or even just watching an aerobics video at home. These dance-inspired workouts are another fun but effective way of raising your heart rate while also shedding off weight. This is also a great activity to do with your friends and family. Since many of us are spending times with our loved ones this season, we can still stay fit while spending time with them. Go to a class together or set up a workout video in your living room. You are guaranteed to have fun watching each other’s killer dance moves.
If you are more of a strength training girl, while this option is not going to help you keep off the food baby, it is still a solid option to keep fit this season if you pair it with some other sort of cardio. Try some strength training exercise focusing on your core and obliques to help assist in slimming down the appearance of your waist and to tone your tummy.
Not finding time to be able to workout? All you need is a simple 30-minute daily exercise to get your blood pumping, no matter which type of exercise you choose. Exercise can even be as easy as taking a quick jog around your neighborhood or walking to the grocery store to pick up cooking supplies. The whole point is just to make you feel a little bit better when you are going back for seconds…and for thirds.
If you would rather just watch what you eat instead of having to spend the time working out, here are some tips on what and how much you should put on your plate. Try to stay away from foods loaded with added sugars or carbohydrates. If you cannot possibly turn down your grandma’s specialty pie or your uncle’s renowned mashed potatoes, portioning is going to be your best friend. Instead of having two scoops of mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, try starting with a single scoop and a drizzle of gravy or having one slice of pie instead of three. In other words, eat what you want but in smaller portions. After all, there is such a thing as having too much of a good thing. This method still allows you to indulge in your favorite holiday meals, however, you will not be overeating and blowing through the recommended 2,000 calories per day model. On top of this, you will not be passing out on the couch with a food coma. Instead, you will be happily content and full while still being able to fit your jeans.
Overall, do not fret if you gain a little weight over the holiday season, it happens to the best of us. Ultimately, it is the time to indulge in good food and make memories with your loved ones. But, if you are trying to look your best during this time of year, a little daily exercise and food portioning can help out tremendously.