Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Trim the Turkey Fat

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Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Trim the Turkey Fat

The average Thanksgiving dinner packs a whopping 3,000 calories. It would take almost five hours of jogging to burn-off all those calories. And thats just the start. The real problem is that the mashed potatoes, gravy, and pecan pie served at Thanksgiving are just the beginning of a long season of temptation.
Here are a few suggestions for keeping your weight in check during the holiday season.
1. The early bird catches the worm. According to a study at the Mollen Clinic, 75% of people who exercise in the morning hours stick to their regular regimen, whereas only 50% of afternoon exercisers and 25% of evening exercisers do the same. During the busy holiday months, try working out first thing in the morning.
2. Plan ahead. Prepare your next days workout bag before going to bed each night. Pack your sneakers, sports bra, and whatever else you possibly need, so that youre not rushing around in the morning.
3. Indulge just a little. As your stress level increases with party planning, shopping, and family gatherings, dont deny yourself all things sweet. Youll only end up binging later on. Instead, measure out a reasonable portion of the foods that you regularly crave. Sit at your table and enjoy each bite of your little indulgence.
4. Shop til you drop. Its seemingly impossible to walk through the mall without a half-dozen fattening foods calling your name. Sidestep these landmines by shopping early in the morning, when fast food fries are less appealing. When you check-off the items on your holiday list, reward yourself with a pedicure or a chair massage instead of a cinnamon roll.
5. Maximize your time. If youre too busy during the holidays to attend a fitness class, then use your morning commute or your lunch hour. Try cycling to work. Opt to stand on the subway rather than sit. Talk your office pals into a lunchtime power walk. Infuse 10-minute chunks of exercise throughout your day, attempting to reach a total of 30-60 minutes each day.
6. Set workplace rules. How can you possibly avoid the temptation of office binges when theyre around you from Halloween through Thanksgiving, and into Christmas? Try the five-minute rule. Decide that you can have a little taste of the sweet treats in the office break room after waiting for five minutes. Chances are that your craving will be gone by the time five minutes passes.