1. Stretch your morning. Dr. Oz suggests starting the day with a quick, ten minute warm-up and stretch to help you center yourself and de-stress, ultimately preventing emotional eating—even if you work out later in the day. Need help getting started? Check out motivating products that make fitness fun.
2. Start an active tradition. So many of our holiday routines revolve around overindulgence—not that there’s anything wrong with that! But Dr. Oz suggests you counteract the chair time by starting an active tradition that will get the family out from around the table. A family walk around the block or a game of football before or after the family feast is a good place to start. And we’ve got some pigskin paraphernalia to get you in the mood!
3. Stay regular. Holiday stress can cause constipation, which makes you feel more bloated and heavy than you really are? But Dr. Oz suggests a simple cure: upping your fiber intake. For those of us who like to take the easy way out, there are also slimming styles such as a belted waist, flattering blouse, and structured jacket, which at least make us feel slim and fit, even if we are as stuffed as a November turkey.
4. Go lightly. We probably don’t need to remind you that traveling is stressful. But you might want to recall that anxiety is a fast-track to comfort foods. To cut down your stress, especially around potential illness while traveling, Dr. Oz suggests bringing alcohol wipes and hand sanitizers. (See our other plane-travel essentials, too!) And while you’re at it, bring some healthy snacks, like fruits and nuts, which may just give you the strength to strut past the fast-food court.
5. Think small. You’re likely to have as much luck dieting during the holidays as you are finding a parking place at the mall’s front door. So, don’t set yourself up for defeat. Instead, aim for cutting back just 100 calories per day, or polishing off half, instead of a full, can of soda. Oz promises even a small modification like this one will prevent weight gain during the holidays and jumpstart your New Year’s weight loss resolution. Amen to that, and please pass us a half of a sugar cookie, please.
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
