Column: One down, two to go

Published 7:23 am Tuesday, November 29, 2005

By Staff
So did you make it through all the Thanksgiving food? If not it is OK, today is a new day and there are plenty of good ways to help you feel better.
For instance, for the many of us who are insane and traveled to "GRAPE" road the day after Thanksgiving for the annual push and shove shopping match, you probably burned off more calories than you would think. Just remember when you are hungry while shopping eat something light with protein to keep you going. Fatty foods will just drag you down for the rest of the day.
Come to the YMCA and work off some of those yummy calories. Get some friends and family together and throw around the football or go chop down your Christmas tree.
One down and two more to go. We still have to get through Christmas and the New Year. Thanksgiving is the easy day; it is just one day of a lot of eating. Christmas through New Years is a different story.
From now till January there are parties, cookies, fudge, cheese balls, etca It is the best time of the year to eat, but can also be the most fattening. Let's look at a few tips to help you through the next month.
Parties:
Never go starving. You will want to gobble down everything in sight. Eat a little something before hand so you do not "inhale" and regret it later.
Limit pop and alcohol calories. The calories in these can be as bad as that piece of pie you are trying to avoid.
Monitor and limit proportions of those good but evil foods. Never totally deprive yourself that will only lead to eventual overeating disasters.
When socializing – go in a room without food or move away from the food area. Food is a part of socializing. People talk and eat and eat and talk.
Cooking holiday foods:
Use low fat cheeses, meats, margarine, whip topping, and skim or low fat milk.
Buy non-fat cooking spray.
Trim as much of the fat off the meat as possible. Separate the fat from the gravy.
If you do not think that the low fat concept will go over well with your family and guests just do not bring it up. They won't be able to taste the difference.
In general keep up your exercising, watch what you eat, do not deprive just simplify, relax and never give up.
Everyone has those bad days where they feel terrible and guilty the next day - hey we are all human – just get up and make it a good day.
Thought of the week: When watching what you eat, will power can be your best friend or your worst enemy.