Weight gain during the holiday season is well documented. The average person will gain five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. So, how about this year instead of gaining weight you consider maintaining or losing unnecessary weight instead? Throughout the years, many of our clients not only maintain their weight during the holidays but some actually decided it was the ideal time to lose weight and succeeded. The concept is a great one because if you are able to lose weight this time of year, managing your body weight throughout the remainder of the year will be a cinch.

Consequently, this week a few very effective tips for weight maintenance and weight loss during this wonderful holiday season will be highlighted—choose one or all and have a beautiful, healthy and fit holiday season. As always, please consult your physician prior to beginning any exercise program.

Holiday Weight Loss and Maintenance Tips

-While it is important to honor, cherish and enjoy the holiday season, rather than thinking of it as a time to overindulge, think of it as a time to prepare yourself to begin this coming year the way you want to end it up—healthy and fit.

-If you have not begun an exercise program, now is the time to do it. Do not wait until the New Year.

-Burn as many calories, safely, as you can every day. Move Your Body!

-Exercise regularly! Avoid missing your exercise program during the holidays. Exercise is a great stress reducer—mentally and physically so use this time to cope with the stress in a positive, nurturing way through exercise.

-Walk everywhere you are able to and carry your own packages whenever possible.

-Enjoy winter sports. Snowshoeing, Nordic/alpine skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snowmobiling are all great fun and burn calories.

-If you do not know how to perform any of those sports listed above, then take a lesson and become proficient now.

-Walk prior to and following all holiday meals whenever possible.

-Play active games such as the ones that are featured on Wii game systems while you wait for dinner to be served.

-Choose a fun outdoor activity, such as building a snowman or caroling rather than sitting in front of the computer or television.

-If it is too cold to play outdoors, go bowling, play basketball, ice hockey, pickle ball and indoor soccer or find an indoor pool and go for a swim.

-If you are currently eating a healthy diet as well as a calorie-conscious one—keep it up! Now is not the time to goof off.

-Choose one small treat to indulge in during the holidays and enjoy it on the actual holiday rather than daily throughout the holiday season.

-Send leftovers home with your guests, take to the local firehouses or there are many homeless shelters that may be able to utilize the food, so take it there. This will keep it out of the house and help you avoid temptation while helping someone in need.

-Drink a glass of water with every glass of libation.

-If you are having a pot luck holiday meal, challenge your guests to bring the healthiest dish and give a fun fitness prize for the winner such as a hula hoop or stability ball.

Jackie Wright is the owner/manager Mountain Life Fitness, LLC located in Granby. She may be reached at her website at http://www.mtnlifefitness.com, her email at jackie@mtnlifefitness.com.