::ten:commandments:of:holiday:weight:control::

Well, I decided to share this with you guys ~ I found this on the Canadian MSN web page and it's from Good Housekeeping. I just found it interesting because there is alot of talk during the holiday season about managing and having a control over your weight. It's easy to go overboard and eat every peanut butter ball that your boyfriend's Mom made and definitely hard to not eat your Mom's special Christmas salad {all of it} and your Dad's amazing breaded halibut {all of it too}.

But you have to keep yourself in check. It is absolutely beyond easy to sabotage all your efforts regarding your body in one simple week.

Let's face it guys, we eat thousands upon thousands of calories over the Holiday season. AND we get away with not exercising because...come on, it's Christmas! But, you can't let that put a hold on your progress. You gotta keep pushing along, you can have things in moderation but don't overdo it or you will definitely regret it afterwards.

You can try and sit there and eat as much as your relatives or you can do everything in moderation and still look banging once Summer comes around.

The only reason why I preach this is because it's unhealthy to eat alot. Obesity is at an all time high and you should be eating clean and healthy.

Eating half a cup of gravy on your 1 pound of mashed potatoes with a huge slab of turkey isn't exactly the healthiest thing in the world. You're right, it's not deep fried chicken, but you can bet your bottom dollar that you can definitely pack the pounds eating this way for a few days in a row.

Anyways, this article is called "The Ten Commandments of Holiday Weight Control" and I am sure you can find alot more tips and little tricks on the Good Housekeeping website.

The Ten Commandments of Holiday Weight Control

We are now entering what I call fitness danger zone, where there is temptation all around us -- office parties, family celebrations, annual neighborhood get-togethers. This year is going to be different though, because you will be prepared. You can start the New Year still fitting into your slimmest slacks by following these very simple, very important guidelines.

1. Be Prepared to Face Temptation Head-On

It will tell you if you are on or off with your plan. Basic rule: same scale, same time, same day of the week. I like the Monday morning weigh-in because it allows you to start each week in possession of the facts. If you see you've gained, use that as motivation to try harder in the coming days.

2. Thou Shalt Not Skip Workouts

Exercise burns calories and helps you control your weight - but only if you work out on a regular basis. During stressful holiday times, it's only tempting to abandon your routine, but in truth, this is the worst time of year to skimp. Do whatever is necessary to stick to it.

3. Honour Thy Need for Sweets

Go ahead, have a goody. Just keep it small. Take a few bites of the pie or tart filling and skip the high-calorie crust. Nibble on two or three Christmas cookies or relish a small bowl of berries and a tiny piece of chocolate. Savor your treat by eating slowly, and the taste will go a long way.

4. Thou Shalt Never Say "I blew it at lunch, so I may as well pig out at dinner."

All right, you had a celebratory lunch with a few friends. You drank some wine, visited the bread basket and shared a dessert. All told, you've taken in an extra 500 to 600 calories. And if you follow through with a no-holds-barred dinner, you turn that 500 to 600-calorie infraction into a huge 1,500 to 1,600-calorie debacle - which is a 1,000-calorie difference. Forgive yourself for the slip and go back to your plan of moderate, healthy eating.

5. Thou Shalt Prepare Thyself for Partying by Taking the Edge off Thy Hunger

Before leaving the house, eat a small amount of lean protein - such as yogurt, cottage cheese, turkey, chicken, salmon or water-packed tuna. This way, you won't be seduced by all those incredibly rich, caloric hors d'oeuvres. When you get to the party, stick with the fresh shrimp crudites or chicken sate and steer well clear of the dipping sauce. (For the record, skipping any kind of sauce will generally save you hundreds, if not thousands, of calories.)

6. Thou Shalt Go Easy at the Buffet Table. Go Up and Survey the Spread First

Fill up on a plate of fresh fruits or vegetables, then choose tiny tastes of your favorite foods. Try not to chat too close to the buffet, so you're not tempted to consume absentmindedly.

7. Thou Shalt Keep Thy Body Properly Hydrated

Salty holiday foods, pressurized airplane cabinets, and forced-air heat dry you out. Skip the soda and juice (which are loaded with calories) and go for good old H20.

8. Thou Shalt Make Sensible Substitutions in Thy Favorite Holiday Dishes

Bake plain sweet potatoes and forgo the butter. Substitute whole milk for skim, half-and-half for heavy cream in soups and bisques, and nonfat sour cream for dips. Try low-fat broth instead of fat-based mixtures for basting meats. Use chopped vegetables (onions, celery, carrots, fennel) instead of butter or sausage to moisten stuffing; cook it outside the bird.

9. Thou Shalt Always Include a Steamed Vegetable at Holiday Meals

Even if it is just for you (though I'll bet many of your guests will have some too), steam a big head of broccoli or cauliflower. Green beans are great too, as are baby carrots, which fill you up.

10. Thou Shalt Not Hoard Leftovers

Keep the meat, the baked sweet potatoes, the veggies and the salad. Send the high-calorie goodies home with guests or give them to a homeless shelter.

Four Plan Ahead Tricks

The key to holiday weight control is having a strategy.

When a friend invites you to a big dinner, ask to bring hors d'oeuvres. Take a platter of raw vegetables with a low-cal dip or some fresh steamed shrimp. That way, you know there will be at least a few appetizers that you can safely eat. If you're slated for a big holiday lunch with office pals, plan to have a simple salad and some water-packed tuna for dinner that night. The lean and light meal will balance out your day. Set up your shopping schedule so you hit the mall with a full stomach; the last thing you need is to graze your way from store to store. Or, carry a small healthy snack - yogurt or fruit - with you.

Don't get caught up in the holiday frenzy. If there are too many parties, decline a few. If all the shopping stress is causing you to overeat, talk to your family about ways to make this year less chaotic. The more open and honest you are with yourself and with family and friends, the more smoothly you'll sail through all the temptations of the season.

There you go, a few tips for you to survive the battle of the bulge over the holidays! :)

Once again, these tips are all from Good Housekeeping and I beleive all Images were used by MSN Canada.

-S.*