ShareThisBy DAN VIERRIA
Monday, November 13, 2006
Shop for the kids, decorate the house, pick up Uncle Harry at the airport, bake the ... The holidays are a recipe for stress and can be a colossal drain on energy.
Maintaining fitness and feeling good throughout the holidays are a matter of following common-sense guidelines, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Here are the council's "Top 10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays":
1. Don't set unrealistic exercise goals. Aim to exercise 20 minutes a day instead of an hour.
2. Talk a friend or family member into exercising with you. It's a great way to burn extra calories and reduce stress.
3. Take time for yourself. It's important to have at least five minutes to yourself to relax. Try practicing deep-breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
4. Create more active holiday traditions. Instead of throwing a cocktail party, try ice-skating or flag football.
5. Forget trying to lose weight. Instead, enjoy your favorite foods in smaller portions.
6. Drink water. Water counters the dehydrating effects of travel or drinking alcoholic beverages and it may quell your appetite for food.
7. Spread out meals. Try eating dinner early. Then take a walk before sitting down for dessert.
8. Drink hot herbal tea instead of coffee and keep the number of alcoholic drinks to a minimum.
9. Don't set yourself up for disappointment with self-imposed, unrealistic demands. Don't aim for perfection. Enjoy the imperfections.
10. Laughter is a great tension reliever. It burns calories, reduces stress and usually means you're enjoying yourself.
