Healthy Habits for Avoiding Holiday Hips - Part 4

The holidays are fast approaching and with them family, friends and feasts abound! What a blessing the chance to celebrate is; but don’t let it be a curse to your health (and waistline!). As we give thanks and deck the halls, let’s remember to follow a few simple rules to avoid undoing all the healthy decision making we do the other 10 months of the year. Let’s keep “losing the holiday weight” off our resolution list this January!

Here are 6 Healthy Habits to Avoid Holiday Hips this (and every) year! Bon Appetit!

  Raise a Glass… of Water!

Drinking lots of water during the holidays has so many benefits. Being hydrated improves your digestion, clears your pores, and improves your energy levels. It also helps us to feel full faster and longer, without the added calories of a sugary beverage.

Drinking a glass of water before your meal sets you up to consume less food. Water, like anything else, takes up room in your stomach, helping you to reach your full feeling faster and with fewer calories. Having a glass of water after a meal will aide in digestion and cut down on your desire (and room) for dessert.

If you’re planning to enjoy some adult beverages this holiday season (beer, wine or liquor), don’t skimp on the H20. The best way to counteract the effects of alcohol on the body and waistline is to alternate between water and adult beverages throughout the evening.

The same holds true for caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea or soda. Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics, depleting the body of water. You’ll need to consume more water when you’re enjoying any indulgent beverages this season to stay ahead of the curve.

Being healthy this holiday season doesn’t have to stop the party. Being mindful of what you do and how you eat will help you keep your health and hips in check this winter.  This is only Tip #1 – Check back soon for the rest of our Healthy Habits for Avoiding Holiday Hips!