Give yourself the gift of better health this holiday season. Holidays are a joyous time to spend with family and friends and don’t have to be centered around food. Follow these tips from 1st Choice Physical Therapy to add more movement to your day and healthy food to your plate.
Ramp up movement!
- When shopping, walk a few laps around the shopping center before going into stores.
- Take the stairs at every opportunity if you can.
- Rather than hunting for the closest parking spot, park farther away and walk briskly to your destination.
- When friends and family gather, go for a group walk.
- Bundle up and take a walk instead of a drive to see holiday lights.
Plan Activities that Don’t Involve Eating!
- Volunteer in your Community.
- Visit a Senior.
- Try a seasonal activity such as ice skating, sledding or winter hiking.
- Build a snowman.
- Go on a walk with a friend or family member and explore a new area.
- Go on seasonal outings such as craft fairs, markets, tree lightings, ballets, plays, and concerts.
- Do family crafts such as making holiday wreaths, table settings, tree trimmings, decorations, and gifts.
- Watch holiday movies with family and friends.
- Get a group together to go caroling.
Eat Healthy!
- If you eat foods that are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars, choose small portions and only eat them once in a while. Compensate for the extra calories by either reducing calories during the meal before or after (or even skipping the next meal by practicing intermittent fasting) or burn extra calories with increased exercise. Opt for healthier foods most of the time.
- At parties and other gatherings, fill your plate with your favorite wholesome fruits and healthy vegetables first, then add small portions of less healthy items.
- If you are taking food to a party, make it your favorite healthy dish. Then you’ll be sure that at least one item at the party will be a healthy choice that you enjoy.
- Make healthier versions of your traditional recipes by using ingredients with less fat and salt.
- Consider beans in place of higher-fat meats.
