Source: Daily Herald
Published: Thursday, December 20, 2007

The holidays can play havoc with your health regimen. Between parties, late nights, feasts and traveling, healthy habits can go right out the window. The tips below can help you manage your daily fitness routine and plan your holiday gatherings.

• 'Tis the season for spending time with family, so share your workout time with visiting relatives. Are you at different fitness levels? See what activities you can share and be active together.

• From holiday shopping, to party planning, to the kids' evening play rehearsal, you can still find some time and place to fit in physical activity. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. Instead of sitting while watching play practice, march in place -- keep your knees high. Or try speed shopping. Lace up those sneakers and move! Before you know it your shopping will be done.

• Keep a record of your activities. Reward yourself at special milestones -- some alone time maybe?

Gaining weight is one holiday tradition that no one wants to keep. Mastering a few techniques can help you create a healthier diet without losing out on flavor. Here are some cooking and entertaining tips.

• Cut down on saturated fat in creamy dressings by mixing in some nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt.

• Use nonstick cookware so you can cook with a minimum of oil or vegetable oil spray.

• Enhance flavors with a sprinkle of vinegar or citrus juice. Add it at the last minute so the flavor is at its strongest.

• Substitute chopped vegetables for some of the bread in your dressing recipe.

• Offer vegetables in addition to traditional side dishes such as stuffing or mashed potatoes at your holiday meals.

• Don't starve yourself the day of the party so you can fill up on food that evening. If you eat normally throughout the day, you're much less likely to overeat at the party.

• Remember: The point of holiday gatherings is to celebrate, not to eat. Mingle with friends and loved ones instead of hovering around the buffet table.

• Wait 20 minutes before getting another plate of food from the buffet. You'll often find that you're no longer hungry.

• Be a health-conscious hostess. Set out bite-sized, healthy snacks such as popcorn, raisins or nuts in brandy snifters. That way your guests won't be tempted to keep reaching for the snacks -- they'll have to pick up the glass and pour a few into their hand.

• Present food in various locations to encourage activities and mingling as well as eating.