Don't practice moderation
The holiday season only comes once a year. If you want to eat something, throw caution to the wind. You deserve to treat yourself. It’s been a long year. Don’t worry about gaining weight. You can always address that issue (if it occurs) in the new year. Because this calorie-laden beverage only tends to be available during the holidays, you need to quench your thirst when you can. Make sure you drink the high-octane version, approximately 350 calories per cup. Don’t be a weenie and dilute it with nonfat milk.
Don't stop eating until you're really full
Never forget that you make your own memories. Why shouldn’t you put an extra pat of butter on your gravy-laden potatoes? A great holiday meal is something to be remembered, especially if you feel like you’re going to explode from stuffing yourself. Parties are a terrific opportunity to show off your social side and celebrate the end of the year. Most holiday parties feature excessive amounts of high-calorie food, as well as unlimited access to alcohol. Bon appétit!
Don't avoid stress during the holidays
You can do it all. Wait until the last minute to shop, decorate, and make travel plans. Cram your schedule as full as you can. Rest is not important. If you get overwhelmed, food and drink are great coping agents. If possible, starve yourself until the party so that you’re really hungry when the time comes. Eating several smaller meals during the day to pace yourself is not the best way to earn your "I-stuffed-myself-until-I-was-blue-in-the-face" merit badge. If a higher power didn’t want you to eat fried food, how could you explain buffalo wings? What could possibly taste better than pigs in a blanket? Who actually thinks that raw veggies are appropriate holiday fare?
Drink excessively - Indulge in desserts
Not only does alcohol taste great, but it also loosens you up. A few cocktails before and after a holiday meal can set the stage for a great time. A glass or two of wine with dinner adds to the experience. Liquid calories don’t count, right? It’s too hard to resist the delicious desserts available at holiday time. Love pie? Top it with a dollop of whipped cream. Prefer cake? Go for extra icing. Crave cookies? Keep them handy and eat them whenever the urge strikes.
The holiday season is busy. Why be physically active when there are more important things to do? The only purposeful movement that makes sense is reaching for more food or another drink. What’s a few extra pounds? You can lose them whenever you want. How hard could that be?
James A. Peterson, Ph.D., FACSM, is a freelance writer and consultant in sports medicine. From 1990 until 1995, Dr. Peterson was director of sports medicine with StairMaster. Until that time, he was professor of physical education at the United States Military Academy.
Copyright by the American College of Sports Medicine.
