Follow This Holiday Diet and Exercise Plan
By Brandi Goodman
The holiday season may be a time to indulge, but that doesn't mean you have to go overboard with it. You should still be following a diet and exercise plan to keep your health in check. Staying physically active and eating nutritional meals allows you to indulge without such dire consequences.
Find Fun Ways to Exercise
If exercise sounds like one of the worst things in the world to you, it's because you're thinking about it all wrong. Don't think, "ugh, I HAVE to work out." Instead, think, "let's do something fun to get moving!" You need to find ways that are fun for you, whether that's dancing in your living room, getting outside to walk some trails or bike, or going to an indoor rock climbing gym for a unique adventure.
Make Substitutions
One of the best things you can do when creating your holiday meals is to make substitutions. You don't have to follow a recipe exactly. Find some alternative ingredients that are better for you to help make a more worthwhile dish. Rather than using regular chicken broth in stuffing, for example, you can use a low-sodium option. Using turkey sausage instead of Italian is also helpful in reducing calories and improving protein.
Get the Whole Family Involved
If you don't want to exercise alone, then get the whole family involved so you're all having fun and getting fit. Take a family ski trip. Go for a hike. Take a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights once they're up. There are plenty of ways to get everyone involved together to make it even more magical and beneficial for each member.
Get Everyone in the Kitchen
Just as everyone should be involved in exercise plans, so should they be in the kitchen. Make sure each member of the family is participating in dinner prep and getting the meal cooked, so everyone knows exactly what they're eating. It helps make it more appealing when people know what ingredients they're consuming. Choose healthy ingredients and create delicious, healthy meals together.
With some diet and exercise plans in mind, you can make the most of your holiday season. Don't sit around all day binge-eating all the holiday leftovers and any treat you can find. Have some in moderation while primarily enjoying healthy meals and snacks and still getting plenty of exercise. It will be beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.