Survive the Holidays without Gaining Weight

       Chances are you’re surrounded by and encouraged to indulge in sweets and other high carb foods this season. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to New Years’ Day, an influx of candy, holiday dinners, cookie exchanges, and parties fill the calendar. Gift baskets and tins arrive with fudge, divinity, rich chocolates, and gooey caramel candies. The social calendar is full and so are you.  Is there any way to survive the holidays without gaining weight?

18 ways to stay active, healthy, and avoid weight gain this holiday season.

1. Sweep your porch, patio, deck and sidewalk, instead of using an electric blower.
2. Rake fallen leaves in your yard, or help rake an elderly neighbor’s lawn.
3. Make a snowman in your yard. Engage in an active winter sport: sledding, ice skating, skiing, etc.
4. Clean your windows, inside and out before stringing holiday lights and decorations or when taking them down.
5. Split firewood. No fireplace or wood burning stove? Construct a simple outdoor fire pit the whole family will enjoy.
6. Home projects are a rewarding way to stay active and productive. Spruce your house up for the holidays. Apply a fresh, cheery coat of paint to the front door or fireplace mantle. Wallpaper or stencil a wall. Take a nature walk. Gather natural cones and sprigs of fresh greenery to make garlands and wreaths to decorate for the holidays.
7. Clean the ceiling fan blades in your home. If you haven’t already, reverse the blades to circulate the heat. Stepping up and down on a ladder to do this chore is good exercise.
8. Walk or workout during your lunch hour.
9. When shopping in the mall, walk around the mall indoors, before you start shopping! 
10. Take the focus off food. Participate in holiday events that aren’t fattening: caroling door-to-door in your neighborhood or at a retirement home, Christmas Cantata or play, parades, toy drive, and donate goods or volunteer time at a food bank or rescue mission.
11. Don’t eat meals or snack in front of the TV or computer to avoid over indulging.
12. Skip the buffets, fast food, frozen dinners and all you can eat specials. Eat as many meals at home as you can. It’s the best way to control what goes into the food you eat, to stay  healthy and avoid weight gain.
13. Watch what you drink. Sugary beverages: cocktails, punch, soft drinks, fruit juices, milk, flavored coffees, hot chocolate, mixed drinks, energy and sports drinks can pack on the pounds quick, and lower your immune function.
14. Freeze surplus of candies and cookies received and serve only when entertaining guests.
15. Reduce your chances of yielding to temptation, don’t make or buy the sweets or unhealthy snacks you lack the willpower to resist. Instead, keep a stash of low-carb, sugar-free treats on hand.
16. Remove the candy, cookie or pretzel jar. Keep candy and other high-carb snacks out of sight to avoid consuming. Hungry between meals? Drink a glass of water or green tea first. Eat a few natural almonds, or a cheese or jerky stick.
17. Don’t eat Santa’s cookies and milk! No wonder it takes so many reindeer to get Santa off the ground!
18. Do your health a favor. Make room on your calendar this week for a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic care helps energize you, keeping you active, healthy and less prone to sedentary activities.
    

About the Author:
Deborah Tukua is a nonfiction author, and editor of Journey to Natural Living. She is author of seven books including, Naturally Sweet Blender Treats: 55 Fresh from the Blender Recipes, and Marketing Strategies for Chiropractic Success. Deborah has been a regular lifestyle feature writer for the Farmers' Almanac since 2004.