Happy Holiday eating

    Hannukah started last night, and Christmas is less than two weeks away. We have Max's 21st birthday weekend in-between, which will involve varying amounts of red meat and beer. Yes, there is over-indulgence over the Holidays - how do you handle it?
      Keeping things "evened out" with a lot of exercise is the most obvious answer. Burning an extra 500-1000 calories in a workout will work off a fatty meal, and stimulate your metabolism so you're burning more calories at rest for a good portion of the day. I always feel that exercise makes you desire healthier food also, both physiologically and psychologically!
   Author Cara Rosenbloom of the Washington Post offered six tips to remember in a recent article
 entitled "Keep Your Holidays Happy by Letting Go Of Food Guilt.".
1. IT'S JUST FOOD, ENJOY IT: Holiday food are about family customs and traditions, so go along and enjoy it. Whether it's potato pancakes ("Latka's"), lasagna, or ham, it's how you grew up, with all the memories entailed. Just slow down and savor the look, taste, and smell of your ethnic favorites.
2. THINK LONG TERM: There's 365 days in a year, and what you eat over a couple of celebratory holidays are not going to make-or-break your diet. Try to eat as healthy as possible during the days in-between each holiday. Drink a lot of water, and accept that you are not preparing a lot of what you are eating, and, most likely, will be "falling off the wagon" a bit during this period.
3. LISTEN TO YOUR STOMACH: Get up, and walk around for a minute after one plateful of food. Are you sufficiently full, knowing dessert is coming along, too? Probably so, but if not, have another half a plate, and don't feel you need to finish everything. Make a good portion of the holiday plate healthy: yes to more salad, easy on the other side dishes.
4. RESIST THE "ARMS RACE:" This pertains to guys more than women. If you're around someone who over-eats, your competitive nature makes you over-eat as well. The same with drinking: the person around you has one beer or glass of wine, you're okay with that, too. They push the "arm's race," you feel you must answer. One way or another, everyone's worse for wear afterward!
5. MOVE ON: The day after, you realize you ate and/or drank too much. Okay, get on the treadmill or elliptical the next morning, and get everything moving. Increase your water intake even more, and listen to your stomach again. You're probably not going to be particularly hungry or desire alcohol at all. By the end of the 48 hour period, your calorie intake has probably evened out. Don't beat yourself up, skip meals, or conversely, give up on a sound nutritional program you've been following. It's just one day!
6. FOOD IS NOT A SHRINK: The Holidays can be an emotional time. There could be loved ones who are ill or passed; or you may be separated by geography or family differences from others. There are also office parties and other gatherings where you may be around people you are somewhat uncomfortable socializing with. Don't use food (or alcohol) as a crutch. Again, a workout earlier in the day can release endorphins to get you through perceived stress, or try anything else that just puts you in a good place. Usually, the anticipation of an event if worse than the actuality. What can be so hard about sitting around with family and friends, enjoying each other's company? Think of people in hospitals or military service who don't have it at all, and keep it in perspective. Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!