BY MAJA CASTILLO, MD (of Tribeca Pediatrics) and CARLYE WAXMAN, RD | Taste testing “this and that” at holiday parties is the worst strategy. Before you know it, you can’t fit into your jeans (or, even worse, your work pants). Everyone likes to party — but there’s a right way to do it. By planning, you won’t have to deprive yourself. This time of year, you should be giving, laughing and getting loopy. It’s not the time for bloat, depression and gluttony.
By following these 10 tips, you can survive the holidays with your shape in tact. And don’t forget to have fun!
EXERCISE:
Don’t wait until your New Year’s resolution to hit the gym. You should be working out extra hard during the holidays. It can reduce stress levels, keep you into a routine and you’ll still feel good about yourself even though you devoured that cheese platter the night before (but, please don’t devour the cheese platter the night before).
EAT SLOWLY:
Yeah yeah, you’ve heard this before. The slower you eat the more likely it is that your brain will recognize that you are full. How many of us are full and still reach for the desserts laid out so nicely on the buffet table? Eating slower is better so you can enjoy yourself. Savor your old favorites and try some new foods — because you don’t get out like this every day!
DRINKING:
Say “Yes!” when the boss offers you a martini, but do not succumb to a calorie-laden one (such as a gingerbread martini, an eggnog martini or anything with too many ingredients or sugar). Try this: Grey Goose vodka with a splash of prosecco (or champagne) and fresh lime and lemon juice. It’s delicious, refreshing and tastes sugary but is lower in calories. Not a fancy party? Stick to wine and champagne. They can have over hundreds of fewer calories than eggnog, punches and coffee drinks.
SNACKING:
They say snacking is good for your metabolism and aids in weight loss — but snacking can lead to eating way more calories than you should, without ever really feeling full. Plan out your breakfast, lunch and dinner at the beginning of the day (and make them satisfying). Do not snack unless you’re very hungry and it’s not close enough to mealtime. This is a great routine to get into. It helps when someone brings in their “best ever” Christmas cookies. You’ll feel like the more appropriate time to eat this would be after lunch — when you’re already almost full.
MY PLATE:
The new “my plate” rule is: Half of your plate should be vegetables and/or fruit — and the other can be equal parts starch and protein. If you are in a buffet situation, keep to this rule and pile your plate. It’s more satisfying to get one huge plate of everything you like, instead of going back for seconds. If you can’t fit it on your plate, you can’t fit it in your belly. With this said, pick a few things that are higher on the caloric side and the rest of the plate should be salad and vegetables.
BE MINDFUL:
Remember that your weight isn’t everything. Gaining a few extra pounds during the holidays will come off easy, so don’t feel guilty! Just don’t go overboard. If you go overboard and do it consistently throughout the holidays it can lead to bloat, feelings of depression and sluggishness. This may make it harder to get back into a routine right away. Try to keep a mental note of how often you have been thrown “off track” and keep away from sweets when you aren’t celebrating.
LEFTOVERS:
Something a lot of nutritionists will say is “Don’t take the leftovers home.” But why not? It’s FREE food. I know we aren’t supposed to have sugar cookies in our homes, but we have willpower, right? If you said wrong to that question, give the sugar cookies away. If you answered yes, freeze them. Take out whatever dessert it may be to defrost when you feel like you deserve a treat throughout the month of January. This way you are planning for it and can enjoy without the guilt!
ACTIVITIES:
If you’re home with family, stay away from the kitchen where all that good food resides. Play a game of scrabble or monopoly. No access to the gym and you’re home with nothing to do but eat? Do some at home gym activities such as squats, lunges, pushups and tricep dips off the couch. Read your favorite fitness magazine for inspiration. Keep yourself motivated.
BUY YOURSELF SOMETHING NICE:
I know it’s the season of giving, but you can only give so much. Buy yourself a hot cocktail dress or something that makes you feel slim and beautiful. Don’t pick out something that will “just hide your belly” or make you feel unattractive. There should be more to look forward to than eggnog and cookies.
SOUP:
This doesn’t fit the theme — but I find when you make a big batch of soup and freeze it in small containers, you can control weight very well throughout the holidays. Bring it to work for lunch if you know you’re going out for a big dinner. Soup is easy to transport, and you can pop it in the microwave for a quick (and cheap) lunch. See below for good low calorie/low cost recipe.
RECIPES:
FIZZY MARTINI:
2 oz Grey Goose Vodka, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1oz fresh lemon juice, 2 oz champagne or prosecco. Stir.
EGGNOG COFFEE:
One cup of hot coffee (amaretto flavor, preferably). One Splenda, 2 oz steamed skim milk, 2 tbsp eggnog. Want to get tipsy? Throw in a shot of amaretto (110 calories).
CARLYE’S RED HOT LENTIL SOUP:
2 cups dry lentils, 4 cups of water, 1 vegetable or chicken bouillon cube, 1 tbsp curry, 1 red hot chili pepper, 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup chopped sweet onion. In a medium pot, add 2 tsp olive oil, onion and curry. Add chopped chili pepper when onions get translucent. Throw in chopped bouillon cube and lentils for one minute. Add water and carrots, bring to boil. Simmer after boiling for one minute and cover. Simmer for about 30 minutes until the lentils soften. Transfer into 4 Tupperware containers and freeze.
