Hi All,

Here are some tips to help get you through the holidays. For those of you that were here before the new community was launched, some of these were posted in the Advisor forum but there are some new ones too!

#1: Tempted by all the holiday candy available everywhere? Plan ahead. Put 3 chocolate kisses or hard candies in your bag each day and when you feel the community candy calling, grab one of the small treats. This way you will satisfy the craving, avoid the other candy and still stay on track with only an additional 80 calories if you eat 3 chocolates. Less with the hard candy! Or, keep a Slim-Fast snack bar handy to curb those chocolate cravings. They are about 120 calories and high in calcium.

#2: Eat smart at your holiday party!

  • Fill up on liquids before and during eating. Sparkling water with a lime twist or diet sodas are great choices
  • Fresh fruits and raw vegetables are good starters. The fiber in them will fill you up fast.
  • Sliced turkey, lean ham or roast beef, and shrimp are high in lean protein and will satisfy hunger longer.
  • Go for the desserts LAST. This way you can eat the lower calorie foods first.

#3: Don't go shopping with a grumbling stomach! Malls and discount stores are full of tempting high calorie fast food and holiday shopping can easily build up an appetite. So, to help avoid the food court, try to go shopping right after your meal or snack. you may even want to bring a small bottle of water and a Slim-Fast snack bar with you in case you get the munchies.

#4: Beat Holiday stress with regular exercise! The holidays can get very stressful with so much to do in such little time. Getting stressed does not help your eating habits or your waistline and can often trigger eating even when you are not hungry. But exercise actually helps relieve stress by heling increase your circulation to help you relax. So, if you have an exercise routine, such as walking everday, stick to it and schedule your holiday errands around your regular workout. Not the other way around! You may find you get more done with less worry and less overeating.

#5: Turn your holiday shopping trip into a workout! Wear your comfortable sneakers and take a BRISK walk around the mall. You can burn an average of 5 calories per minute depending on your age, weight and metabolism. Parking at the far end of the parking lot will save you the aggravation of not finding a parking space and give you a chance to get another mini brisk walk.

#6: Many holiday celebrations involve drinking alcohol and it is easy to take in a lot of calories without realizing it. If you drink alcohol during the holidays, cut calories by opting for wine spritzers, light beers, or distilled spirits mixed with club or diet soda. Try to steer clear of creamy drinks or oness mixed with regular soda.

#7: All foods can fit in moderation. Try not to set restictions on specific foods you can eat for the New Year. You can still enjoy a small serving of the foods you love and stay on track with your New Year's goals.

#8: When doing your Holiday returns and exchanges, don't forget to pick up Slim-Fast Optima to get your New Year off to a great start!

And last, but certainly not least,

#9: Losing wieght during the holidays may be difficult. For a more realistic approach, try to maintain your current weight. using Slim-Fast once a day is a great way to keep your calories under control.

Happy Holidays!

Heather

Slim-Fast Weight Loss Advisor