Holiday Indulging with Less Bulging

Brian Joggerst, personal trainer at in , shares the following tips for maintaining fitness during between now and New Year's.

1. Execise an hour a day, four to five days a week during the holidays. Even exercising 10 minutes at a time, several times a day, will help. A brisk walk, run or bike ride will burn calories, relieve stress and elevate endorphins and mood. If a workout has to be missed, increase normal daily activities — be sure not to snack during this time.
2. Do not avoid eating fat. Eating moderate amounts of fat at a meal can help people feel full sooner and longer; just don't overdo it.
3. Don't skip meals. Eat small snacks if saving up calories. Skipping meals leads to hunger, low energy levels and improper food choices.
4. Don't pass up favorite foods or deprive one's self completely. Moderate consumption is the key.
5. Don't tempt one's self by keeping trigger foods or comfort foods around the house. Having them increases the likelihood of overeating.
6. Plan meals by keeping in mind the demands on each day's schedule.
7. Don't go to a party starving. Before leaving home, eat something light or drink a meal replacement shake. Also, drink a great deal of water the day of the party.
8. When attending holiday festivities, station one's self away from buffet tables. Make a clear-cut decision to put distance away from the goodies.
9. If drinking alcohol, stick to light beer or a champagne spritzer. Watch out for eggnog because it is high in calories and fat.
10. If feeling depressed, soothe the spirit with a massage, manicure, pedicure or facial.
11. When shopping, eat before leaving home to avoid cookie breaks.
12. To satisfy a sweet tooth, set limits. Allow one decadent dessert per week.
13. Just because it is the holidays doesn't mean it's a license to eat everything that passes by. Factor in little extras into daily intakes.
14. Help out by saving fat and calories when it is feating time by making or buying wild rice stuffing, baked sweet potatoes, whole-grain rolls and angel-food cake with fruit.

Joggerst said it's important to remember to exercise daily, eat in moderation, drinks lots of water, don't stress and to enjoy the season — just not ALL of the food.