A few tips for your holiday diet

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by Dara Newson

Story Created: Nov 26, 2012 at 12:58 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 26, 2012 at 1:09 PM CDT

With the holiday in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, it's important to do all you can to avoid holiday weight gain. From the stress that comes with finding the best gifts to the holiday feasts there are a few ways to stay fit and beat the temptation to overeat during this holiday season.

At most dinner tables around the holidays, there's no shortage of food.

"Start out with a smaller plate and fill up that smaller plate with the more greens and things like that before you start stepping into the dressings," said Jacque Hinrichs.

As the Fitness Coordinator and Personal Trainer at the YMCA, Jacque Hinrichs is no push over when it comes to healthy eating.

"Eat clean. Try not to have all the additives to it. If you have to have the sweet potatoes try not to have it with all the marshmallows on top," Hinrichs said.

But, if you can't resist.

"Tell yourself, okay, I'm going to allow myself to indulge, but I don't need a heaping plate of it," said Hinrichs.

Portion control is key during the holiday season, but so is working out. During your busy holiday schedule you can find ways to make the most of your exercise time.

"Sit ups, or taking gallons of milk or flour bags, whatever, if you can get into the kitchen you can grab something out of the kitchen and do some different types of lifts or moves," said Hinrichs.

And if you can, fitness gurus suggest staying away from the goodies - the cakes and the pies.

"When you come up here to do your cardio and your weight lifting it's going to recognize those healthier calories. It's going to break them down. Your body is going to use it for energy and fuel and then it's going to be out of your system and then you've got a great work out on top of it," said Hinrichs.

Statistics have shown that between Thanksgiving and New Years, the average adult can gain between one and ten pounds.

Studies also show that thirty to sixty minutes of physical activity per day helps maintain a healthy body weight.

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