The winter holidays are a great time to enjoy the finer things in life, but they can also be a pitfall if you’re trying to remain health-conscious.  The knowledge that I can’t simply pull out my lightweight mountain bike and cycle off those extra calories has been cause for concern in the past, but this year I’ve devised a strategy for avoiding the weight gain that so often accompanies the holiday party season.  Here are four quick and easy tips for keeping the weight off while still enjoying all that Christmastime has to offer:

1. Treat yourself to the seasonal fare

A lot of health experts will tell you to avoid high calorie holiday foods, but to that I say “Bah, Humbug!”  I wait all year for these indulgences, and I’ll be darned if I’m going to miss out on them.  Instead, I suggest staying away from the less heralded run-of-the-mill party items that can be equally damaging to your figure.  Just remember, you can only eat Christmas cookies once a year, but chips and salsa?  Not so much.

2. Exercise at home

Most of us are understandably less motivated to drive to the gym during the cold and dark winter months.  Instead of lamenting the lack of equipment, turn your home into a personal fitness centre by installing a magnetic exercise bike or treadmill.  Many modern exercise bikes will measure your heart rate and amount of calories burned during your workout, and spinning in front of a TV will help you keep your mind off the physical strain while you fly through exercises.  Moreover, a ProForm treadmill can be folded and wheeled anywhere in your home, making on-the-go fitness easy as ever.

3. Be a social butterfly

You’d never view a holiday party as just a food event, so don’t treat it as such.  Socialising with other guests will keep your body occupied and your mind off the snack table.  Chances are, you’ll have a better time too.

4. Have a plan

The most important thing you can do is to think ahead and make a plan for combating holiday weight gain.  If you make a schedule and allot time for unplanned occurrences, you’ll be able to tackle your concerns head on and enjoy yourself without worry.  Remember: the holidays should be a joyous time, so give yourself a little leeway and enjoy everything the season has to offer.  After all, it’ll be mountain bike season before long, and you’ve got plenty of time to get back on track.

How to you stay trim during the holidays?  Leave a comment and let us know!

Did you know?

In the U.S., a white elephant gift exchange (or Yankee Swap) is a game in which each participant brings a gift which is given at random and able to be swapped for other unwrapped gifts until game’s end.

-Jeff O.

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