Hey everyone. It’s the holiday Fat gaining time.
No Doubt you don’t want the average 5-12 pound gain before January just to make a resolution to take it back off.

It’s a silly cycle. But it keeps happening year after year.

So here for you is an easy to apply list of holiday tips to keep you ahead of the game.

Since its party time, it usually means a time that includes high carb, high fat foods in mass quantities. Don't get sucked in and knocked off track. Try a few of these to help you out.

1) Have a healthy snack before you leave to a party. Eat some veggies or small turkey sandwich or some fruit. This will help curb your appetite so when you arrive you aren't famished and looking for the cookies, chips and dip to satisfy you.

2) drink a glass of water when you start to feel hungry and before a meal. Water helps send the message to your brain that there is something in your stomach and helps curb your appetite. It also takes up some space so there is less room for over consumption. Many times hunger is mistaken for thirst and a simple glass of water can satisfy you.

3) Eat ONE plate of food - Many parties are buffet style which is easy to overdo. Take one plate and sample everything you want - IN SMALL PORTIONS. When your plate is clean, simply be done.

4) include protein with your meals - protein helps slow your digestions and keeps the blood sugar levels lower which can help slow the sugar/fat storage. Still keep your portions in control. To many protein calories can add up also.

5) Biggest one - Portion Control. Keeping your overall calories down and in check will help ensure your fitness success. If you are a desert person, skip a starchy carb at dinner and trade for a small desert. Key here is small. Create a new habit by sampling a desert and then passing it on to someone else ( don't pass it to someone else in boot camp).

Enjoy your holiday season and be successful with your fitness - it can be done - and we have faith that each of you can do it.

Please let us know your success stories - big or small, every success is a success and we want to know.

Be well

Coach Greg