The Holiday season does not have to mean weight gain. Here are a few healthy habits that are easy to follow during the holidays to keep you on the right track to a healthier lifestyle.

1. Keep a food diary. If you write down what you eat, it will make you think twice about overindulging.
2. Be aware of beverages. Alcoholic drinks are easily 100-300 calories or more per serving. Plus, drinking reduces inhibitions (which will make it harder to resist tempting foods) and can give you a hangover (which will probably lead to not exercising the following day.) Eggnog (with or without alcohol) is one of the highest calorie beverages in existence. A better option would be wine spritzers or naturally flavored seltzer water. If you must drink, try drinking a full glass of water between each drink to help fill you up and slow down your rate of drinking.
3. Snack on produce before you go to a party. Filling up on produce will boost your diet quality along with keeping you from arriving at a party so hungry that you can’t make healthy choices.
4. EXERCISE! EXERCISE! EXERCISE! It has been proven that people tend to eat healthier when they exercise. Staying active will keep your calorie burning level high and remind you of your health and fitness goals throughout the holiday season. If you feel like you don’t have time, think about not saying yes to every party, squeezing in a shorter workout and planning when you will fit in exercise the day before. Part of staying consistent with exercise is putting it higher on the priority list.

“NOTHING tastes as good as HEALTHY feels”!