First off, I want to say happy Thanksgiving to all of you readers out there.  I hope you spent it with family / friends around you in an atmosphere filled with joy, laughter and good vibes.  If we do not have that around us during the holidays, all the hard work we do on a regular basis really means nothing at all.

With the holidays comes a difficult challenge for those of us that are trying to watch our diet and calorie intake.  Despite our best efforts, all the holiday dinners and not to mention the cookies, pies and other treats that come our way mean that we will most likely be over eating and that we will eat more than usual during this season.  But that does not mean we have to surrender to a big belly or unwanted weight.

I have always believed to be happy one should be allowed to eat what one likes, so long as it is enjoyed in moderation and that it is followed by exercise and a healthy diet.  If we were to exercise regularly and burn the calories of the treats we like to enjoy before they turn into fat in our bodies we can eat almost anything, enjoy the food we enjoy the most and not put on the unwanted weight that usually follows such indulgence.

If you have the time and like to do cardio, try and do a 60 minute cardio workout on your none party days.  So lets say you have two party days during the thanksgiving weekend.  Each day you are having guests or visiting someone you may be taking in an additional 1,000 to 1,500 calories.  So what you need to do is adjust your workouts during the none party days to burn the extra 1,500 to 2,500 calories you have consumed during the party days, spreading it out over the rest of the week.  This way you are burning those calories before they turn into fat in your body.

But if you are sitting this reading and thinking "Oh God HERE WE GO about exercise... my most dreaded thing ... " do not threat.  Exercise is important as a daily regiment there is no doubt about it.  However it does not always have to be the only way you are going to control the extra calories consumed during party seasons.

Here are a few things you could do that are fun and you will not even feel you are burning calories while doing them:

• Walk your dog for 20 minutes more than you usually do and do a little speed walking (this is good for your dog also :)
• During none party days drink diet soda or better yet just water instead of sweetened drinks.  Try and consume less calories and leaner meals to help offset the extra calories you have consumed during the party days of the season.
  
• I can never emphasize enough on this one - At stores, malls and work ALWAYS try and take the stairs instead of the elevator if you can.  Did you know if you do this 5-6 times a day it equals 100 calories burned?!
• Dance to 4-5 of your favorite songs that get you pumped and going.
• If you have stairs, walk up and down the stairs for 15-20 minutes.
• Do your house chores while listening to music and getting into it like a workout.  You would be surprised to find out just how many calories a good series of chores can burn.
• Do some march in place, jumping jacks, jog in place, some more jumping then march in place to cool down.  You could do this while waiting for something (food to be cooked, laundry, file transfer...etc)
• If you have family visiting, entice them to go for a walk with you.  A group walk is always more fun and a great way to bond and spend time while burning off some calories.

As you can see It is not that difficult to find alternate ways to have fun and burn the extra calories during the holiday season.  The trick is to be doing it during the season and not cheat.  Waiting until the season is over then trying to burn off the extra calories consumed can be difficult and frustrating.  All in all the best thing you could do for yourselves is to make sure you are active and exercise at least lightly or moderately after the party days so that you allow your body to burn the calories before they turn into fat.  Remember you do not have to do vigorous workouts if your schedule does not allow them.

Make sure you do the following ever morning when you get up and during day if your schedule allows:

• Be sure and stretch well before and after your workout.
• March or jog in place to get your heart rate going.
• Use light weights to do some curls, thrusts and squats.
• Kick in place to get your lets going, again speeding up your heart rate also.
• Do jumping jacks as many as you feel comfortable doing.
• Do some sit-ups and stretch your back and legs.
• March or jog in place while you slow down your rate and cool down.

Please seek professional advice from our trainers at the studio on a specific workout custom tailored to your body and needs and send me your feedback about what your routine is after the holidays for burning off the unwanted fat and calories.  I always love hearing from you all.