The smells are completely irresistable, the array of spices blows your mind, and the sweets are like no other. Tis the season to feast! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m bracing myself to be bombarded by mountains of amazing food. In the end, all that food has to go somewhere and for must of us, it goes to all the places where its not welcomed.
And that’s where it comes into play, the oh too common holiday weight gain. However, it is possible to win the battle against the scale on the seasons. We’ve got six big tips anybody can follow to stay in shape and still enjoy the holidays!
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Don’t ditch the workout
Just because its the holiday season doesn’t mean you should stop getting in your recommended daily exercise. Wake up an hour earlier and take the dog for a walk, go for a jog around your area or turn on the workout dvd that has been collecting dust on your shelf. You could even throw on a little bit of Michael Jackson and go all out dancing…just keep on moving!
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Who likes to be hungry, anyways?
Its probably one of the worst things you can do before feasting your eyes upon a massive buffet of possibly the best foods you’ll encounter all year. Shape magazine  states, “Number one party rule: Never show up famished!” Carry a small zip lock back of almonds or pop a granola bar into your purse before you leave. By keeping your blood sugar at a stable level, you’ll be able to make more sensible decisions when it comes to what is covering your plate.
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Plan out your meal ahead
Go in expecting…well the best. Honestly, expect a dinner for kings and queens to better prepare yourself for better options. “Before heading to a holiday diner or party, walk yourself through the evening, visualizing how you’ll fill up on healthy foods, enjoy just a small slice of cake or limit yourself to one glass of wine,” stated LiveStrong.com. Having a good game plan with a strong defense will ultimately lead to your own personal victory.
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Follow MyPlateÂ
In the summer of 2011, Michelle Obama announced the new campaign against obesity, revealing the new design for a balanced diet that replaced the food pyramid that we all grew up with. It’s called MyPlate. The New York Times defines it simply. “The plate is split into four sections, for fruit, vegetables, grains and protein. A smaller circle sits beside it for dairy products.” However, the campaign urges to really fill half your plate with veggies or fruit. So instead of plopping a mound of mash potatoes and drowning it in gravy, try a spread of beans, carrots, squash, or corn. All perfect vegetables to celebrate the holidays!
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Pay attention!
Its hard not to snack before, during and after your cooking, or even to control your eating pace when your enjoying each others company. Keep an eye on your food and chew slowly…really savor the bite!
It also helps make mental notes of what you’ve taken in, to keep your mind focused and in the game!
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Cheers! Now trade drinks
Like stated before, limit yourself to a small cup of cider or one glass of wine. Otherwise, stick to a tall glass of water. Its best to continuously sip your drink while having a conversation with your family and friends at the dinner table. Since you’re constantly hydrating yourself, cravings will be less and less and you’ll also feel fuller…keeping the number of trips back and forth to the kitchen low.