It’s the holidays! Time to relax, eat, drink, and be merry, right? While this sentiment is felt by many people, it isn’t the best attitude to take going into the holiday season. Sure, you may eat a little more than usual on Christmas day or have a few extra drinks on New Years, but it is vital that you stay fit, even during this time of year. Why is physical fitness so important now? Because it is important at all times!

This time of year seems to be all about indulgence and gluttony. From the food to the spending, more seems to be better. It is possible to get too much of a good thing, however. And if you are considering that plate of Christmas cookies for dinner, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Many of us shrug off diet and exercise around this time of year because we are busy, we are stressed, and there is food everywhere. But, the fact is, this is the precise time when you should be trying harder to stay fit. Truthfully, if you can stick to your diet and exercise plans during this time of year, you can pretty much do it whenever.

Why is physical fitness so important during the holidays? Well, aside from the fact that you want a gumdrop bar for desert and a heaping help of steaming mashed potatoes and gravy with your dinner, stress is at an all time high this time of year. Working out isn’t only giving you a little wiggle room on your Christmas diet, it’s also burning off some of that tension you are carrying around. Whether it’s the spending or the house full of guests, staying fit can keep your stress level manageable.

So, when you are caught slipping and thinking you could take a few weeks off this year, think again. The answer to “why is physical fitness so important during the holidays?” can be found in every cookie tin, gravy boat, and stress headache. Maintaining some semblance of normalcy in your workout program will keep you feeling and looking better this holiday season.

It’s that time. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas there are holiday parties everywhere you look. Whether it’s an office party, a get together with friends, or the holiday party at your child’s school, they are everywhere. And the one thing these parties typically have in common: food! Unfortunately, healthy food isn’t quite as big of a hit at these parties so sticking with a healthy eating plan becomes tricky. The key is to have a good time without negating that progress you make every other day of the week.

There are a few things you can do to make the damage minimal at these holiday parties. While it is somewhat unreasonable to ask you to not eat anything off your diet, it’s not out of line to tell you not to completely blow it either. It’s all about balance when it comes to healthy eating at a holiday party.

Here are some tips to keep your healthy eating in check:

1. Eat before you go. Eat something healthy before you leave the house. Showing up to a holiday party famished is a surefire way of doing some damage. Instead, have a bowl of vegetable soup or even a full meal beforehand. Having something on your stomach will make it easier to just say no!

2. Make one trip. Typically snacks are laid out on a table for everyone to munch at these sort of events. Fill up a plate knowing it will be your only. Allow yourself a few treats on there so you don’t feel deprived but don’t return to the snack table afterwards.

3. Bring a healthy option. If you are friends with the hostess ask if you can bring a tray to add to the collection. They’ll think you’re merely helping out but this is one way to ensure there’s at least one healthy eating option. Crudités or grilled chicken appetizers are both great options here.

4. Watch the liquid calories. Holiday parties are as known for their liquid treats as they are for the food. Choose beverages made with limited sugar and steer clear of things like beer or champagne. Allow yourself a glass or two of wine and then stop. It’s much easier to throw drinks back in a social setting, so beware of this sneaky diet disaster.

Holiday parties don’t have to be a drag for people watching what they eat. Healthy eating can fairly easily be incorporated without an accompanying sense of deprivation. Celebrate, have a few treats, and then get right back to business the next day!

Turkey time is almost here. For some of us this is a pretty stressful time. All of you P90x’ers may have some anxiety over the up and coming holidays, not knowing what to do when it comes to eating. Well don’t worry, here is a little information that will help.

First and foremost you need to know the average amount of fat and calories that are in your typical Thanksgiving meal.

Roasted Turkey-(no skin) 4 slices, about 4 oz. = 190 calories & 6g fat

Cranberry Sauce-1/2 cup = 209 calories & 0g fat

Cornbread Stuffing-1 cup = 431 calories & 21g fat

Green Bean Casserole -1 cup = 168 calories & 10g fat

Mashed Potatoes-1 cup = 243 calories & 11g fat

Pecan Pie-1/8 of 9″ pie = 456 calories & 21g fat

Pumpkin Pie (without whipped cream)-1/8 of 9″ pie = 323 calories & 15g fat

Having this basic information will help you to make the right choices. If you’re following the portion approach of the P90X diet plan then its pretty simple. All you have to do is make sure the portions fit within the parameters of your nutrition level. For example, if you are a Level 1 you’re allowed to have 1,800 calories a day, which consist of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, condiments & snack. Look to your P90X nutrition guide for more details on how many servings of each of these you should be eating.

If you’re not following the portion approach then its perfectly fine to switch over for the holiday season. It will make it a lot easier when making you food choices.

Also, you may want to plan ahead of time. Ask what is going to be on the menu beforehand and figure out what you can eat and how much. It will take the stress out of the holidays and you won’t have to feel guilty about your choices.

If you plan on making the meal yourself check out this video for cooking tips to reduce fat and calories in your Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

Happy Holidays!