Holiday pounds averted

All that eating, drinking and merry-making can add up to some extra pounds once the holiday season is past—but it doesn’t have to. Here are some tips to help manage your weight through Christmas and New Year’s:

• Watch what you drink: Some beverages, especially seasonal favorites such as eggnog, hot chocolate and alcohol, are an abundant source of calories and sugar. It’s difficult to avoid them entirely at holiday parties, but try setting limits like no more than one alcoholic drink for women and two for men.

• Get on the scale: It’s hard to manage your weight if you’re not tracking it. If you have access to a scale, use it.

• Hide from problem foods: People tend to eat more when the foods they love are readily available and visible, so if your weakness is baked goods, don’t bake or buy them in the first place.

• Exercise harder: You won’t feel guilty about indulging in a slice of pie or a couple glasses of wine if you’ve ramped up your exercise routine. Not only will vigorous exercise burn extra calories, it will reduce the stress that can come with the hectic holiday season.

Source: WebMD.com