Holiday Health: How to Have Your Cake and Not Wear It Too!

The holiday noshing has begun. This year, Chanukah has come early – and so have the potato latkes fried in oil. Not to mention the Holiday parties, and platters filled with baked brie bites and Christmas cookies. O.K., I'll stop mentioning.   

How does one resist temptation and attempt some semblance of health around these times? Yes, it's very difficult, but not impossible. Planning is the key and so is a smidgen or two of willpower. The best advice I can give is: try to balance your eating marathons with exercise. Going to a party or dinner tonight? Go for a jog or go to the gym and take a calorie burning cardio class like Zumba or spin that day. Don't forget to weight train; the extra muscle you build will help you burn more calories!

If you do overeat or drink, don't stress out over it, just eat lightly the next day. Remember that 500 extra calories per day will add a pound on at the end of 7 days. So if you can calculate your calories and what you expend on exercise, either by keeping a written log or using a fitness app like "My Fitness Pal," you'll be a lot more successful.

Another great tip: don't go to a cocktail party hungry. A salad or healthy juice or smoothie before you go will make you much more courageous in the face of pigs n' blankets and linzer tarts. You don't have to deprive yourself of Mom's homemade casseroles or Aunt Rita's desserts. Just taste a little bit of everything, and put the plate down! Move around, go for a walk, do an extra lap or two tomorrow; your jeans will thank you in the morning. And then, remember, there is always Jan. 2, when life can return to the normal of oatmeal and lean chicken. Enjoy the holidays!