This week we’ve heard from some lovely locals with their tips on how to have fun this season without putting on the extra pounds or being overwhelmed by stress. Hopefully, this advice will help us all a little so we can save our New Year’s resolutions for bigger and better things than the bit of fluff we put on in the run of a month. Moreover, this knowledge is something we can probably all stand to take away from throughout the course of the year.

What are some of your tips for staying fit and healthy, particularly during a season filled with so much expectation and temptations?

If you missed any of the posts this week, you can check them out here:

Smart Bites: A little gal’s guide to staying that way over the holidays by Kristen Pickett

Stay fit for the holidays: body, mind, spirit by Helen Fong

Embracing Balance: healthy holiday tips by Jaime (a.k.a. @balanceblog)

Festivus for the rest of us…and a healthy holidays! by Scott Thomson

[This next guest recently started a great blog called YourInnerSkinny. Here's his take on enjoying the season without having to perform feats of strength (well, unless you include the strength of your resolve to not help yourself to a second serving of dessert).]

By Scott Thomson

Helping you find your inner healthy self!

I’m going to tell you something: for a former fat man, not over-indulging during the holidays is ridiculously hard. Hell, not over-indulging during the holidays can be hard for 75% of the population! Work functions, get-togethers with friends, family, complete strangers…a Tuesday…There’s always a reason this time of year, and there’s always a lot of food, a lot of booze and a lot of partying—which usually equals a lot of over-indulgence!

So, when it comes to the holidays and a healthy lifestyle, most people proclaim, “I’ll start to eat better and hit the gym in the New Year, etc, etc.”  Some do, but a lot don’t! And let’s be honest here, no one starts a workout routine on January 1^st! You’re usually way too hungover and there’s way too many leftovers kickin’ around for that to be starting on the first day of the year. Let’s not BS each other here; we all know it’s going to start on Monday, January 4^th, 2010 at the earliest.

Personally, I don’t understand why people wait until January 1^st to start their new healthy lifestyle regiment! There’s no time like the present! (Get it..? “Present”! It’s a play on words… like a gift because it’s the holidays, and like right now because you should drop that cookie and go for a walk outside…Get it?  Never mind…)

Your best bet is to start BEFORE all of this crap gets going, BEFORE you stop caring for a week or a week and a half over the holidays, and BEFORE you neglect what you do and what you put in your belly. Get your body to a good place—to a place where it’s happy and where your metabolism is up and going strong. Get to a place where you can do 25 pushups in ten minutes, or 25 chin-ups if you’ve got fifteen minutes to spare. Get your body prepared for the beer, the wine, the gravy, the chocolate and everything else it can expect by the end of December.  You’ll thank yourself in the long run.  Trust me!

Here are a few tips (and things you may not know!) to help you start right now and keep going well into the New Year.

1. Get to the gym! Or go for a run. Or a walk with your dog. Or go jump in a lake!  There’s absolutely no reason whatsoever that you should be sitting on your ass right now, waiting for 2010 to come around to start exercising. Start today! Seriously…GO! Go right now…No wait, finish this post, THEN GO!
2. Give yourself a “cheat day”…or two. On days like Christmas or New Year’s Eve, there’s a good chance you’re not going to do that well in the ways of your diet or exercise. And, honestly, you’re allowed to take a break now and then. It’s actually good for you to take a cheat day if you’ve been watching what you eat and drink and exercising regularly the other 363 days of the year. Take these days to treat yourself…
3. You’re allowed to cheat a little bit, but don’t go overboard! On the day of the party, eat normally (and by “normally” I mean healthy). Don’t think to yourself “Well I’m going to be drinking and eating like crap tonight, so I might as well eat like crap all day.” That’s foolishness! Why add all of those extra calories or grams of fat to your diet? I know I just said have a cheat day or two, but I meant one or two. Why turn this into a holiday of wasted effort after the past year, week or day of restraint?
4. Before you go to a party, eat a full, balanced meal. I know this may sound strange because there’s going to FREE FOOD, but why go to a party hungry where you don’t know what the menu is going to be?  Nine times out of ten you know it’s only going to be finger foods, and you also know that most finger foods aren’t healthy.  Protect yourself before you wreck yourself!
5. Work out! I know I’ve already touched on this one, but I can’t stress it enough. The team effort of diet and fitness will keep you feeling and looking great for as long as you care enough to commit to them. One doesn’t survive well without the other. On days that you really don’t feel like working out, whether you’re hungover, tired or whatever, just aim to do fifteen minutes of exercise. You’ll probably end up doing more than that once you get started! Even if you only end up completing fifteen minutes, that’s still a lot better than zero minutes. Here’s a great holiday tradition to check out: after your family’s Christmas dinner, get your mom & dad, nanny & papa and whoever else wants to, and go for a walk. You’re spending time with your family and walking off those extra peanut butter balls you just ate (they’re my fave!).

Well there you have it kids—five tips to stay healthy over the holidays. NOW, get your butt in gear and go do something active…And put down that eggnog and those cookies!

Scott Thomson was born and raised in PEI but has called Halifax home for the past 7 years as a web/graphic designer.  Growing up playing sports and always being trim, he stopped being active after college and got a cushy desk job and put on 100lbs.  After a few years of ridicule from family and friends, he decided it was time to get back in shape and now shares his experiences, the experiences of others and tips from professionals on his blog YourInnerSkinny.ca.

Photo credit (altered): number657 from Flickr

[Here's another great post by a blogger  who's moved East Coast By Choice. Give a warm welcome to Jaime who has some sound advice for enjoying the holidays without the added stress of rebounding from over-indulgence in the New Year.]

By Jaime (a.k.a. @balanceblog)

‘Tis the season for temptations galore. Health roadblocks at every turn. It can be daunting, but just take the time to think about your actions and everything will turn out fine. I am a firm believer in planning ahead so I thought I’d share with you my plan of attack for the holidays without busting my belt.

Plan your eats. Think ahead.

• Eat breakfast. Coffee does not a breakfast make. Take 15 minutes to eat a proper meal before you head out. Something that will stay with you…oatmeal, toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit and nuts. Get your protein in. Trust me.
• Pack a snack. Throw a banana or whole-food granola bar in your purse or pocket. This will save you from caving to that Tim Horton’s donut or Orange Julius hot dog when your blood sugar begins to take a dip after a few hours of scouring the shelves for the perfect gift for your cousin Bill.
• Stay hydrated. Go ahead and have that coffee before you leave home (who can tackle Christmas time at the mall without a jolt?!) but try to avoid more caffeine and sugar during your day. Carry water, or buy some at the food court. No one ever believes me when I say water perks you up better than coffee, but it does. Try it, you’ll like it.
• Avoid cheeseburgers. If you are going to be shopping all day, you’ll need to stop for lunch. Make good choices. I know, I know…it’s hard to just walk past the cheeseburgers and poutine, but I have faith in you. Choose sushi, or a salad, or a sandwich on whole wheat bread. Avoid anything that’s under a heat lamp and you’ve made a step in the right direction.
• Plan dinner in advance. A huge issue is being tired after shopping and succumbing to eating dinner at whatever restaurant has the shortest line. This generally leads to some sort of cheese toast and big bowl of artery clogging pasta. Ask your family to tackle dinner for the evening or put something in the crock pot before you head out for the day. This gives you something healthy to look forward to coming home to after your big day.

Activity. Get some.

• Morning routine. If you have time, workout (whatever a workout entails for you…hit the gym, go for a run, take Fido er, Tofu for a walk…) before you go out for the day. The extra energy you create will help keep you going.
• Make a date. If no time pre-shopping, then go after. Make a date with your significant other or a friend to meet for some activity. This will help you shake off the mall leg you have surely developed and also give you a reason to get out of the mall before 9pm.
• Don’t be lazy. No brainer. If your shopping location has stairs, use them. Cuz I said so.
• Take a breather. If your shopping does go all day, take a break. Go outside, put your parcels in your car, get some air. Just breathe. It will go a long way for your mental sanity as well as your physical exhaustion.

Shop smart. OK, now here it is. The biggest tip. If you walk away from here with nothing else…take this one.

• Don’t buy chocolate as gifts. If you step foot in that chocolate store to purchase a box of chocolate covered pecans for dear Aunt Lily, I guarantee you will walk out with a chocolate pretzel for yourself. Oh sure, you’ll tell yourself it’s for your Grandpa Phil but you know as well as I do it will be gone before you get to the car. Step away from the chocolate.

The idea here is to “keep it real”. Temptations are everywhere this time of year. No one is saying you can’t give in to a few of them (especially me!), but it’s all about balance. If you choose to buy the chocolate, then you’d better be taking the stairs. If you opt to skip breakfast, please drink your water and order salad for lunch. And for the love of Pete, if you must eat in the food court please make healthy choices. Embrace Balance. If it works for me, it will work for you. I promise.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Jaime has been blogging for 2.5 years. Starting out as a desk bound office worker looking to lose the weight gained sitting on her bum, and progressing to a healthy eating (and living!) enthusiast. Thanks to the power of the internet Embracing Balance continues to grow and thrive each and every day, and so does her knowledge of how to remain healthy and happy without giving up the real food and comfy lifestyle she knows and loves. A transplant from Victoria, BC only two years ago, she is grateful to blogging for introducing her to a fine group of East Coasters that have helped make Halifax more like a home.

[Continuing the East Coast Guest Posts series this week is a yoga instructor with tips on finding balance during the holidays. I don't know about you but that's something that most of us can use some help with during this hectic season.]

By Helen Fong, BSc, CYT

Take baby steps. My fitness routine consists of walking and yoga. Yoga is not just a physical practice, but also a lifestyle. It helps me stay mentally and spiritually fit. How? I do the following styles of yoga: Flow Yoga, Detox Flow, and Yin Yoga. Flow yoga is a somewhat vigorous style that works the heart, helps with balance, and keeps the muscles strong and lean. Detox Flow also does this, but primarily works to purify the skin, detoxify your vital organs, and naturally helps your digestive system or ‘movement’ (if you know what I mean) through a series yoga postures. Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine so every part of my body gets a “workout” by combining different styles of yoga. I teach and practice all three styles.

Conrad Beach, NS

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we have increased demands and have to decide what we’re going to do, where we’re going to go and when we’re going to do it. This can be quite overwhelming. However, yoga and meditation can help our sanity amongst the chaos of the holiday season. As we become more aware of our bodies through yoga practice, we become more aware of our food choices. It’s okay to treat ourselves once in a while, but we must do it without self-destructive thoughts. Moderation is key.

To be internally fit and externally fit is so important. One of the best pieces of advice I received was “Poop every day!” Sounds funny, eh? Well, a properly functioning digestive system leads to an equally healthy immune system. This is especially important during cold & flu season. What goes in…must come out…at some point. Hopefully you experience this everyday. And don’t forget to “Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!” Drink lots of fluids, or your pipes can become clogged and things won’t come out so easily. Good ol’ H₂0 is the best!

Every Monday evening, I teach a Detox Flow yoga class at a yoga studio in Halifax. I guarantee my class will get your bowels moving nicely and naturally. My students and myself can attest to it. One day after my detox flow class, a student said, “I still feel the effects in my body – lots more movement!” I was so happy.

Helen’s Top 3 Holiday Tips:

Tip #1. Wear comfortable footwear. This will make your feet and body feel like moving. Just as, if you wear uncomfortable footwear (heels for the ladies, for example) all day, it will fatigue your legs and hips, then your body tells your mind, “I don’t want to be active. Let’s just rest and recover.” Our bodies don’t want to move when it’s injured or even if it’s in pain. Yoga will also help improve your posture.

Tip #2.  Offer to be the D.D. (designated driver) at holiday parties. You can save money because many local establishments offer reduced prices (or free) non-alcoholic beverages for the D.D. You can also loose weight by dancing off the calories you gained during your multiple holiday dinners. This is what I do during the year when a friend visits from out-of-town. Your mind is clear and it feels great to know you’ve helped your friends get home safe. And as the D.D. you can make sure your friends are kept hydrated. Have them drink a bottle or two of good ol’ H₂0 between their holiday beverages. Encouraging them to join you for fun on the dance floor is also a way to help them stay active during the holidays.

Tip #3. Quality “Me Time.” Find an equal amount of social and “me time” for yourself. Especially during the holidays. Take a half or a full day for just yourself. Keep this consistent throughout the year no matter what. This can help you reflect on how far you’ve come on your road to a fit body, mind, and spirit.

Happy & healthy holidays!

Peace & Namaste,

Helen

Helen Fong is a 200 hours Certified Yoga Teacher in the Halifax Regional Municipality and has also worked in the health care industry for the last 9 years (in clinical research). She was born and raised in Halifax & Dartmouth. Helen enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and staying active in her community. To find out more about this eclectic lady, please visit her website today!

Photo credit: be_khe from Flickr

Everyone is talking about the swine flu right now. It’s the big pandemic scare of 2009. Google is even tracking its progress around the world using this map.

Now, I’m not making light of the situation but with the proliferation of social media tools like Twitter, it’s just as easy to spread helpful information around the world as it is to spread some pretty crazy misinformation.

So, when @jennbelle overhears a woman say “Call me overcautious but no bacon, I don’t want to risk swine flu”, we may poke fun but where there’s one woman thinking that, there are surely others.

Let’s get some facts—or at least one fact—straight here: swine flu, or any flu for that matter, is not transmitted through the consumption of the object used to describe the type of flu. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen. You can’t catch this new strain of flu by eating pork products. You couldn’t catch bird flu by eating poultry. Heck, you can’t even spontaneously start speaking Spanish by catching Spanish influenza.

I understand that sometimes we have these moments where we say things without thinking them through, but this is a fear that many people have. Like the avian bird flu scare before, carnivores across North America and perhaps even around the world will be opting for other meats in the weeks and months to come. They might even switch back to eating more poultry now that there’s no such thing as avian flu anymore (or at least it’s fallen from the headlines). I’m not urging people to continue to eat meat but what I am calling for is a little bit of reason here. How do you think people contract regular human flus? Through cannibalism? No. So, why would it be different with animals?

The only way it could be foreseeable for one to contract an animal-related flu through the consumption of said creature is if one were eating at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (a.k.a. Milliways) and the Ameglian Major Cow you just conversed with sneezed on you.

In the wise words of Douglas Adams: DON’T PANIC!

As a side note, mark your calendars! May 25 is Towel Day, a tribute to Douglas Adams.