Five Tips For Happy, Healthy Holidays

'Tis the season to be jolly... and with the holidays upon us, following five simple tips will extend the joys of a healthy and leaner body long after the celebrations are over.

The winter holidays occur over several weeks during which we gather with family and friends, savoring an abundance of mouthwatering dishes and special beverages. It's a feast for all our senses: the aroma of something roasting, the sound of beloved music, the sparkle of colorful lights, the first bite of Grandma's special recipe, getting lost in a loving hug.

The challenge is how partake in the food and fun without gaining unwanted pounds or losing shape and tone. And who thinks of a litany of do's and don'ts in the midst of festivity?

Let's keep it short and simple. Here are Five Holiday Tips to help you keep a balanced approach to participate in the parties while preserving your program.

Number One: Eat Regular Meals. Continue your daily program. Whether you eat three square meals or graze on 5-6 small ones, you've been training your body to that schedule. Whatever you currently do that works, keep doing it. Do not skip a meal in an effort to "save calories" so you can overindulge later.

Number Two: Rejoice In The Variety. You will be faced with dishes you might otherwise avoid that are rich in fat calories, sugar, refined or processed grains, a lot of salt. If you associate "diet" with "deprivation" (and who doesn't?), don't get Puritanical about it. Put one bite's worth of those rare luxuries on your plate so you can indulge the desire for the holiday variety.

Number Three: Eat And Drink Slowly. Whether you eat lightly or stuff yourself, it's a biological fact that it takes your body 20 minutes to register that hunger is gone. When you dive right in and rush through a meal, you inadvertently overeat in those first 20 minutes. Slow down. Prolong the pleasure of tasting and chewing. Join the conversation for a few minutes between forkfuls so your digestion goes to work while you connect with those around you. And save those one-biters from Tip Number Two until you've eaten your protein and veggies. Your stomach will be satisfied and your mouth will still be happy.

Number Four: Moderation Works. The key to balanced holidays is moderation, whether you're being "nice" or "naughty." Exercise (A GOLD STAR FOR YOU!) is hard to maintain when the social whirl is full and exhausting. It's okay to drop a workout here or there, or to shave minutes off, but do work those big  leg muscles (thighs and glutes) to maximize heart health and calorie burn. If you're going to drink alcohol and sweet desserts (A GUILTY PLEASURE?), reduce the quantity and consume slowly.

Number Five: Healthy Supplements. Just because it's a banquet doesn't mean it's balanced and nutritious. Just because it's the third party that day doesn't mean getting there wasn't stressful. During the holidays especially, maintain health, continue weight management and reduce the impact of stress with your daily vitamin, antioxidant and CortiSlim supplementation.

Happy, Healthy Holidays from CortiSlim!