by Galen Daugherty

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

When I think of the Holidays, I think of many things greatly important to me. Going to Colorado to be with my family, the snow, the fresh air, getting away from the hustle and bustle of Orange County, maybe running down the slopes a few times, and most importantly, eating my moms good 'ol fashion country cooking, and eating, and eating and eating. Thinking of my moms home cooked goodies makes my mouth water like Niagra Falls. Stuffing myself with the many delights of the holidays is ecstasy.

Unfortunately, I'm also a member of the armed forces, and have to maintain a strict weight, lame.

Lame or not, Uncle Sam is right in his strict weight standards, and with winter upon us, we have to think about what we put in our body's. Remember, it's cold out;we dont' sweat as much. It's getting dark earlier; we're less inclined to go outside when it's dark. Alas, we get tired much more easily; it's easy to sleep more during the winter hours.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. You don't have to starve yourself, or skip out on Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner (taking a smaller piece of pecan pie probably won't kill you). First, look at your diet, and ask yourself: Does my exercise routine match my diet? If your a high carbohydrate, high fat, and high sugar eating person, I hope you run 20 miles a day. If your like the rest of us, then you probably struggle with fast food, the candy jar at work, coffee... All of which will make it nearly impossible to lose weight.

The good news it, there are simple things you can do to avoid the holiday bulge, and still eat like a pig on Thanksgiving and Christmas:

1. Watch Your Diet- Get up a little earlier, and pack a lunch. Make it healthy, stay away from sugary jams and jelly's, use only wheat bread, trade the chips for apple chips, or nuts. Stay away from soda and other caffine beverages,

2. Drink a Lot of Water- Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you don't dehydrate. Water is crucial to your system, and crucial to your metabolism. If food is your fuel, then water is your oil.

3. Exersize at Work- Trade the elevator for the stairs. If your on the first floor, run up to the sixth floor to use the restroom. Get an inflatable exersize ball, swap it with your office chair for a couple hours a day. It not only helps with your gut, it helps with your posture.

4. Don't Just Sit Around After Work- It's getting dark earlier. Don't just settle in front of the TV. Make dinner when you get home, eat before 7 (earlier if possible). Commercials are about 30 seconds long. Give yourself a PT routine during the commercial breaks: spend 2 commercials doing Push ups, and 2 commercials doing sit ups.

So, to recap, 4 simple steps, staying disciplined and establishing routines will keep you from gaining the extra holiday bulge. If you keep this routine throughout the year, and not just during the winter, you will look awesome year round.

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