Holiday Survival Tips

I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving and are awaking from your food coma with a sense of renewal for December. I love the holiday season and admit to day dreaming about all the upcoming parties, meals and sweet treats. Does it surprise you to know that I'm as much of a decadent food-lover as the next person?  I get quizzical or astonished looks from clients when I talk about how much I love pie, cake, chocolate, ice cream, candy bars...I could keep going. They're a wee bit shocked by my admission of guilty pleasure because they think I "toe the line" 100% of the time. Well I don't. (continued below) To Your Health, Christopher McClintock Personal Best Fitness Brentwood'sPremier Health & Fitness Expert

How To Survive The Holidays (cont'd from above)  What I do is "toe the line" 85.7% of the time. That equals 6 days out of the week. On the seventh day...I indulge. I don't go crazy, but I'll have some pizza or a slice of pie. I'll reward myself for a good six days of healthy, supportive nutrition by "letting my hair down" a little bit on day 7. "A little bit" is the operative phrase. I don't have the pumpkin pie with two huge scoops of ice cream and a pecan and apple pie chaser! And I recommend you don't either.  But DO enjoy yourself one time a week, particularly on Thanksgiving. Then get right back on the "nutrition wagon" on Friday after Thanksgiving.  By the way, Thanksgiving Thursday is a great day to do a workout in the morning. You'll enjoy the meal that much more. And if you can't get in a workout on Thursday, then by all means come see us on Friday! All things in moderation is a really good motto that serves you well over time.  To help with that, here are some important healthy holiday eating tips as we move into the season... #1 - Get the bulk of your calories early in the day.  A "breakfast of champions" will serve you really well year round, but particularly during the holidays. #2 - Don't go to that party hungry. You know what will be there, and most of it is "danger" food! Eat something healthy before you head out to the holiday shindig. #3 - Portion control. If you just do this on a consistent basis...you'll see the pounds begin to melt away. Really. Sample different things, but don't overdo anything, particularly the dreaded "comfort foods." #4 - Substitute dry white or red wine for other alcohols. If you drink, don't drink the egg nog! Beers and mixed drinks pack more calories. Yes, your friends may give you an odd look, but you'll feel better than they do the next day (and you've got a goal to achieve, which makes you better than them anyway! :) #5 - Watch the sweets! That's all you get to do. Just watch them. Don't eat them. A little holiday humor. Enjoy yourself, but be judicious about your choices. You'll thank me afterwards. Don't forget the Vegetable Challenge starts today! Click below to sign up. Quote Corner     Brussels sprouts are a part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes the nutritional powerhouses kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and collard greens, all of which supply loads of nutrients for a small amount calories. If you are trying to improve your diet, cruciferous vegetables should be at the very top of your grocery list    Brussels Sprouts with Walnut-Lemon Vinaigrette  1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered 2 tablespoons walnut oil 1 tablespoon minced shallot 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon whole-grain or Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste   Preparation Place Brussels sprouts in a steamer basket and steam in a large saucepan over 1 inch of boiling water until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk oil, shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the sprouts to the dressing; toss to coat. Nutrition Per serving: 108 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 3 g fiber; 188 mg sodium; 405 mg potassium

Personal Best Fitness 5120 Virginia Way Brentwood TN 37027 Phone: 615-838-4523 Personal Best Fitness, LLC (All Rights Reserved)