Holiday Tips

Seasonal Advice from UMMC Experts

Weight Management

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The holidays are a joyous season, but inevitably seem to be associated with weight gain followed by the infamous New Year's resolutions. Here are a few tips to keep your weight gain to a minimum this holiday season.

All tips provided by Verlyn Warrington, M.D., M.S.

Giving

Ask for or give the gift of health -- give or ask for that exercise DVD that you have just been dying to try out.
Are you going to the mall for that perfect last minute gift? Power walk around the mall before you start to shop.

Partying

Offer to bring a healthy, low calorie dish to the party. Make healthy substitutions in your recipes. For example, use wheat bread in bread pudding instead of white, or skim milk instead of heavy cream.
Enjoy the foods that make the holidays special for you, but don't indulge in everything on the buffet table.
Eat regularly during the holidays. Don't starve yourself saving all the calories for that big party. You will be more likely to overeat and ingest more calories than if you had small meals throughout the day.
Limit your alcohol intake. Remember, one gram of alcohol contains more calories than one gram of carbohydrates.

Stress

The holidays are wonderful, but can be stressful. Set aside time for relaxation and exercise.

This page was last updated on: December 21, 2009.