4 Fitness Tips for the Holidays!

I read an article recently that said most people gain weight between Halloween and New Years's. I don't doubt it. There are tiny chocolate bars, candies, get togethers, egg nog, office parties, homemade goodies and a host of other temptations that could easily side track you from your ultimate health goals.  There's no getting away from it, but keeping your "eye on the prize" can certainly help you through it! 

4 Fitness Tips for the Holidays:

#1. Move Daily - Do something everyday! It doesn't even have to be your regular 1 hour workout session. Make it something, and try to do it first thing in the morning before you find an excuse not to do anything. No time to get to the gym? Then do one of these body weight exercise routines in the comfort of your own home! 

If you follow me on instagram, you can scroll back and see that there was a MOVE DAILY challenge for October.  There are 31 ideas for you to get your sweat on there! @tracysteenfitness - is my instagram handle.

#2- Make Choices not Decisions -  I talked a client through a weekend of her Christmas parties last week. We discussed the choice she wanted to make regarding her health. She wanted to "keep her eyes on the prize!" So out of her 3 parties, she decided that at one party she would drink alcohol and that she would limit herself to 2 glasses of wine, mixing water in between. She also looked ahead to see what the menu was going to be so that she could choose what she would eat. Making choices ahead of time (when you can), takes out the decisions while you're there. If you haven't decided before you arrive at a huge buffet, the temptation, and the pressure even to make poor choices is greater. My client felt that she was not left out of the holiday fun, but she also didn't throw the baby out with the bath water by going on an all out binge because "its the holidays".

#3 - Balance it Out! - I like the concept of indulge and resist, especially over the holidays or on vacation. Like anyone, I don't want to feel left out of the fun when it comes to celebrating, so if I know there is going to be delicious high calorie food and drink at an event, I just make certain that I balance that indulgence with a heavy duty workout. Practicing moderation can also help you stay on track. I like to add in glasses of water in between glasses of wine. Also, take smaller portions of the decadent foods you want to try, and load most of your plate up with salad or vegetables. 

#4 - Grab the Gang - My older sister is great at doing this! After dinner, or while the turkey is cooking in the afternoon, she always suggests we go for a hike or a walk, or something active! Not only do you have fun visiting, but you're moving and increasing circulation in the body. My mother is also always on board, mainly because she doesn't want to miss out on ANY of the fun! 

(Photo creds: blog.beingfatiseasy.com)

I really think it is critical for all of us to keep our eyes on the prize, and that prize is our health.  Moving daily and eating nutrient dense foods are two key ways to ensure that we are doing the most we can for our mind and body. Enjoy all that this season has to offer, and try to remember these 4 important tips along the way.

Clean Eating Caramel Corn!

The holiday season is one of those times when my family goes NUTS with the baking!  My mother's holiday cookies are extravagant, magazine worthy, and most of all delicious! I find myself frequently reaching for a treat, not because I'm hungry but simply because they are visible and convenient! I LOVE my mother's butter tarts and cannot wait until she makes them, but I also wanted to find a recipe that was a healthier option to add to those get togethers, or just for a cozy Friday night around the fire! If you find that you are a "picker", this is the perfect healthy treat for you!

Clean Eating Caramel Corn

Recipe:

8-10 cups air popped popcorn

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup all natural peanut butter

dash of salt

4 ingredients, 4 minutes and you have a delicious caramel corn that is fit to sit on any holiday dessert table! In a saucepan bring honey to boil over medium heat. Boil until the honey starts to bubble and climbs 1 inch up the side of the pan (not long). Remove from heat and add the peanut butter. In a large bowl, pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn and stir with a spoon until evenly distributed. I like to sprinkle on a little sea salt at this point. Don't use hands as mixture can burn!

Spread the popcorn on a cookie sheet to cool. Don't forget to sample as you go ;)

Store in an air tight container, or in a festive tin like this one!

Merry Christmas!

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