Healthy holidays

Offering up advice to keep off those holiday pounds

By Power up with Steph Power

Power Up!

As we round the corner of this term and finals are approaching, everyone is counting down for the end of the semester. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or just relaxing, it is important to remember the point of the break: Renew, rejuvenate, and refresh. This may sound cheesy, but when else do you get almost three whole weeks away from school and work happening at the same time? I have struggled over my university career (which has been more than a few years now) how to be healthy over the holidays. It’s the season of cheese balls and bacon wrapped scallops, of fudge and truffles, and of eggnog and rum. It’s a time for sleep-ins and late nights, for big feasts and potlucks. How do I go from that study, work, gym, study, class, study, eat, drink, repeat schedule, to friend and family visits, bottles of wine, delicious sweets, and no ambition for hitting the gym? Don’t get me wrong, I believe that everyone should indulge a little; after all, we all deserve to treat ourselves over the holidays. Whether in the form of baked goods, extra mashed potatoes, or sleeping in until noon, you need to take the time to reboot. Yet, behind the allure of indulgence is the stubborn older sibling of overindulgence. It is that dark shadow, lurking behind the punch bowl, waiting to swoop in without hesitation to push us into that extra piece of fudge, or one too many glasses of wine. This is what you should watch out for – turning your holidays into a time of sore stomachs and hangovers, and late nights. Clearly, I am no stranger to this happenstance. I have had my share of lazy, drunk, and wonderful holidays, but after New Year’s has come and gone the results have not been pretty. Instead of feeling ready to go for a new semester, I am moving slower than a sloth in the dead of summer. So what can you do to avoid turning your holidays into a blur of parties, potlucks, and punchbowls (spiked obviously)?

SUB: Drink water.

Honestly, those 8 to 10 cups a day can really make a difference. Not only is it healthy to hydrate, thirst is often mistaken for hunger and checking off those cups can make going up for seconds, thirds, or fourths at the holiday potluck less likely.

SUB: Go for a walk.

This could be challenging if the weather doesn’t cooperate but walking is a fun way to spend time with friends and family, and also admire neighbours’ holiday decoration efforts. Also, it’s good exercise. Try for at least 20 minutes.

SUB: Go to parties on a full stomach.

This will help again when trying to resist the allure of a potluck and appetizers. Also, if you have dietary restrictions, this is a good idea, because some hosts do not always plan for restrictions or vegetarians or vegans, and you could be left in the cold. Also, alcohol always hits an empty stomach a lot harder.

SUB: Sleep.

When you are rested, you function better. Try for eight hours and try to stay on a somewhat regular rhythm. Going to bed at 3:00 am and getting up at 10:00 am will start to take its toll if it’s a daily occurrence.

SUB: Keep the sugar intake in check.

Too much sugar gives our bodies a false sense of energy and can actually fatigue us more in the long run. So go for something wholesome and full if you know it is going to be a few hours before you eat again instead of three candy cane cookies.

SUB: Get family and friends to come to you.

If you are away most of the year and return home for the holidays, visiting can quickly become a top priority. This can be very tiring, so invite people to come to you. That is what we have started doing in my home. I love to see everyone, but I enjoy it more when I get to spend time at home relaxing and not worrying about who, when, where, and how.

SUB: Avoid the dreaded Boxing Day sales.

I love to shop. Just ask my partner. I am a sucker for a bargain. Yet Boxing Day shopping has become a huge NO on my list of when to shop. Lines, loud voices, sweaty people, more lines, trying to find parking, forgetting where the car was parked – no thanks. Do yourself a favour and wait a few days. Unless there is something that you really need to line up at Future Shop at 4:00 am for, then I recommend waiting. I do not claim to be a holiday health guru, but I do believe that the holidays are a time to recharge your batteries. Think about how you can best do this in order to come back after the holidays to hit the ground running for your classes, work, and extracurricular activities.

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