So ya inhaled a little too much holiday cheer?

Feeling the bloat of the holidays? Did you vow to do everything in moderation only to find yourself feasting on stuffed shells, guzzling Manhattans, and gorging on every ounce of confectionery bliss you could get your hands on?


If your version of the holidays lasted from Thanksgiving to New Year's and now you're staring down that pair of jeans that...just...won't...zip, fear not. Let's do some Damage Control, shall we?


First of all, don't swear off every morsel of refined carbohydrates in an attempt to punish yourself for bodily assault with a deadly weapon. Research shows that the more we deprive, the more we'll binge later. It's a totally inconsistent, unhealthy system that turns your body into a totally inconsistent, unhealthy system. I know you've heard it a million times, but there really is something to the whole 'everything in moderation' theory. Think about it, if you have, maybe, just the one helping of Stornelli's Sweet and Sassy Apple Pie instead of 3, you'd be saving approximately 600-700 calories of buttery goodness. And since you're still actually eating the pie, you won't feel like you missed out on anything.



Secondly, when you're done scarfing down the ration of sweet deliciousness, move. My sister Carrie* and I have made it a holiday tradition to do the dishes after dinner. Not only does it burn calories, but we instantly earn Favorite Daughter Status. Huge points there. Then we bundle up and take a 45-minute walk. We often put Fluffy on the leash and bring him with us (further elevating the Favorite Daughter Status), and during the dog-sniffing-God-knows-what-pauses, I incorporate squats, lunges, calf raises and running in place. After Carrie gets over the embarrassing display of public exercising, she joins me. We return to the warm house, full and satisfied, and no longer feeling like our arteries have crystallized into sugar.



Thirdly, release yourself of shame and stop feeling guilty. Where will it get you? Likely running back to the refrigerator for leftovers, thus continuing the spiral. Instead, make a date with yourself and the gym/exercise video/pavement. Promise yourself that you'll move just a little faster than you normally do for 30-60 minutes. It doesn't matter what kind of movement you're doing, it just matters that you are doing something you enjoy for a solid period of time, most days of the week. I know you hate it. Trouble is, the size of your backside, not to mention the numbers on the blood pressure cuff, depend on it.



Lastly, for the weeks following the holidays, don't weigh yourself and don't berate yourself. Ease yourself off your sugar high by incorporating a few more fruits and veggies in your day. Do a little research and find a meal, or if you hate cooking, a snack, or if you hate assembling, a ready-made deal at your local Wegman's/Trader Joe's/Shaw's. Make it healthy and make it your new favorite.



I'm not necessarily advocating a lifestyle overhaul, I'm just reminding you that just because you spent the majority of your holidays sniffing around the food table rather than training for a marathon does not mean that you can't get back on track and move on with your numerous resolutions.



No more You VS. Your Jeans ....



Get Moving.

Keep Climbing,

ELD



*Carrie is her real name. She will, heretofore, also be referred to as "Bug"