Scary, but true: it only takes an extra 100 calories per day to pack on 10 pounds a year. And what with food, crowds, parties & temptaions - holidays typically do nothing to prevent the dreaded spread. However, with some discipine (you knew that was coming) and a little preparation, you can start the new year at your sexy best.
"This doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of all your fall favorites this Thanksgiving," explains Leona Turner, Nutrition Director at Billion Dollar Bodies. "Avoiding the most fattening selections and improving them will help you make it through the long holiday without the guilt. Also chew each mouthful slowly to give your mind time to get the signal that you are full. And don't forget to keep working out advises William J. Harris, Billion Dollar Bodies CEO: "Enjoy yourself, in moderation of course, but just don't stop exercising."
Tips from Billion Dollar Bodies on staying in shape throughout the holidays:
SKIP the butter & marshmallows...the nutrients in a sweet potato get cancelled out when they become sweet potato casseroles thanks to the extra 400 or so calories that are added with butter, cream & rich crusts.
SUBSTITUTE with healthy, low calorie roasted sweet potatos, grilled sweet potato strips, or baked sweet potatoes with fresh pineapple chunks (image: The Domestic Goddess)
SKIP sausage, butter & other high-fat ingredients in the stuffing & replace the potatoes with mashed steamed cauliflower
SUBSTITUTE in veggies, stock & fruit in the stuffing, and make gravy by blending brown rice flour, sodium-free seasoning & some extra-virgin olive oil (image: Cucina Testa Rossa)
SKIP buttery crusts & ice cream topping - the dessert downfall of your fave sexy jeans
SUBSTITUTE with low fat pumpkin mousse or a pumpkin smoothie packed with soy milk and whole wheat graham crackers to cut calories in half. Skip the crust altogether on your fave pumpkin pie, and frapee up some "ice cream" in the blender with vanilla whey protein, water and frozen strawberries. Alternatively, frozen bananas whip up into a remarkably tasty whipped topping. (image: Food Network)
And don't forget to workout. Billion Dollar Bodies clients - which include hottie Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow; Crash) & starlet Channing Tatum (She's the Man; A guide to Recognizing Your Saints) - use these techniques for staying trim on the road & during the holidays:
Tip 1 BRING THE GYM WITH lightweight and easily portable equipment such a resistance band, a jump rope, or a Swiss ball can provide a gym quality workout anywhere/anytime
Tip 2 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO WORK OUT The most common reason for skipping a workout is not scheduling it in. With work, family & personal errands, it's easy to lose track of time, by which time it's too exhausting to think about attempting to work out.
Tip 3 DO THE MATH Make a note of what you plan on eating during the holidays so you can assess the calorie damage. And then plan your workouts accordingly so you'll be burning at least as much as you're taking in. Also, think about having your trainer measure your basal metabolic rate & figuring out a solid plan to burn the excess calories.
Tip 4 STAY THE COURSE White it's healthy to take breaks from the gym to give your body a chance to recover from intense exercise, the absolute worst time for a workout vacation in during the holidays. Time off from working out + overindulging = hard to get on track agan in the new year. Instead, reward yourself for being so diligent during the holidays by scheduling your break for two weeks after.
- Lesley Scott
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