A survival guide to the holiday season

It's the holidays again! That time of the year when people go to parties and eat lots of good food. But Christmas could also spell disaster for those who are given to overindulging. Here are a few tricks to help stay in shape through the holidays.

• We're going to have late supper at grandma's house! If you are starving, you will eat even more! To appease your hunger before the feast, eat a fruit, a vegetable or a slice of whole wheat bread!
• Everyone is served? Ready? Dig in! Did you know that it takes your stomach at least 20 minutes before it sends a signal to the brain to say that it is full? So eat slowly!
• Lots of colours on your plate. It's easy: the more colours there are on your plate, the more flavours and vitamins there will be!
• Watch TV Yes, you read that right! Once you return home, take the time to relax before going to sleep. It will help you digest your food!
• A little exercise with that? The day after, go for a walk, go skiing or try skating to burn off excess calories!

So no matter if you're the type of person who only has to LOOK at a piece of Christmas cake to gain five pounds or you're the type who burns off calories in the wink of an eye, the important thing is to stay healthy and have fun over the holidays. Just remember the golden rule: eat everything–in moderation!

And there you have it! You are ready to start all over again :-p

Happy holidays!

Source: Service vie.com and Desjardins Financial Security