8 Tips on Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

Every year I tell myself, I'm not going to let it happen and I don't.  As someone who works out too hard during the year to try to stay fit, I find ways to strategically enjoy every piece of chocolate and glass of champagne that comes my way during the holiday season without feeling bloated or gaining weight.  You can, too.  I promise. Tis' the season to indulge... with caution.  I spoke with Holly Hargrave of Athletic Genius to find out how to avoid the dreaded holiday weight gain.  Indulge and stay fit!

Tip #1:  Avoid excess hunger.  Do not let yourself become ravenously hungry by starving yourself for that special holiday event.   Starving yourself causes your metabolism, ( caloric burn ),  to slow and results in over-eating.

Tip #2:  Dress for success.   Wear a form-fitting outfit that does not “give”.  When you are full your outfit will communicate the message to you because it will become tight feeling.

Tip #3:  Beware of alcohol.  Alcohol is nearly as calorically dense as fat.  Sip your cocktail, do not drink quickly.  I recommend a glass of water between each cocktail or a glass of seizer water.

Tip #4:  Choose foods at the event that represent how you want your body to look.  Do you want to look like a celery stick or a scallop wrapped in bacon.  Think sexy as you choose your foods they should reflect your ultimate body image.

Tip #5:  Choose a dessert and immediately half the portion size.  For example:  one slice of cake – slice into 2 and take half.  Throw away the other half.

Tip #6:  Avoid stress.   Focus on what needs to get done and let the rest fall away.  Stress creates cortisol and cortisol holds fat.  No-one knows what you didn’t get done on your “holiday to do list” but you.   Be easy on yourself.

Tip #7:  Drink lots of water.  Flush out your system, feel full and keep your skin clear.

Tip #8:  Mingle.   The more you are mingling and chatting the less time you will have to put food in your mouth.  After all, you are attending the event to socialize not to eat.

Amanda Seyfried's Trainer Talks the Best Ways to Get in Shape

Lacey Stone, the founder and creator of Lacey Stone Fitness, is the secret behind the Jessica Alba, Amanda Seyfried and Nicole Kidman's hot bods.   Do I have your attention now?  Thought so!  I chatted with trainer to find out some of her best advice. Yes, even if you only have 15 minutes.  No excuses! If you only have 15 minutes to work out, what's the best exercise to do?

I’d say working with Kettlebells is the BEST! It’s cardio and strength training combined for a killer full-body workout.

What's the best piece of workout equipment to own at home?

I love having a jump rope because it’s easy to take anywhere and you can get an incredible cardio workout in 15mins or less. 

What's the best thing to eat after a workout and why?

After your workout you need to repair your muscles fibers so the best thing to eat is protein. I like to have a couple hard boiled eggs or a protein smoothie post sweat fest. 

What's the best piece of advice you have for people who are trying to get fit? 

Set attainable goals. Your main goal in the beginning should be to be consistent at the gym.  Rather than a number a scale.  Find a teacher that inspires you at the gym and make the gym something you do regularly. Once you are in that flow then set fitness goals. If you want to be successful at the gym consistency is key, if you’re not consistent you won’t get results.

What's the best way to quickly lose five pounds?

Cut down the carbs & simple sugars big time, and up the anti-on your cardio.  You will be down five in no time.

Fitness Tips That'll Whip You into Shape for the Holidays & Keep You There

Intrigued by fitness, I'm always looking to learn new ways to keep my body in shape so I sought out Will Torres, the Founder of willspace, a personal training studio in NYC.  He has a new, intense class starting in January that I'm determined to conquer (hear more about it after the jump), and gave me some great tips on the most important exercises for women and how to stay fit during the holidays.  Check them out. willspace is known for exercises that utilize one’s own body weight as opposed to lifting weights.  What kind of results can one expect from that and why is it best?

willspace is known for using hybrid exercises that challenge multiple parts of the body at one time.  The more muscles you can get going in one movement the more it will boost your metabolism and the faster you will get results. Body weight exercises like calisthenics, plyometrics, push ups, sit-ups and pullups are vital to an exercise program.  It’s important to be able to lift and move your own body weight around.  However, not all exercises are conducive to using only body weight.  For example, the lower body muscles are very strong so when training the legs you must use resistance so that the muscles are adequately challenged.

What are the three most important exercises that you teach women?

1. Squat Thrusters: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart holding dumbbells in front of the shoulder. Squat so your butt is below knee level. Quickly drive through the heels, straighten legs and extend arms overhead. 10 reps.
2. Plank Rows: Start in a high plank position with 7lb or 10lb dumbbells in each hand. Have your hands closer than shoulder width apart and your feet wider than hip width. Push down through the left arm as you pull the right dumbbell from the ground and lift the elbow towards the ceiling. Repeat on the other side. 10 reps.
3. Butterfly Sit-ups: Lie on your back with souls of the feet touching and let your knees fall to the side. Sit up reaching with your hands past your toes and roll back down. 20 reps.

Any tips on how to stay fit while traveling during the holidays?

You can begin to lose the results from all your hard training after about 3 days of non-activity.  It’s important to keep your training going while you’re away for the holidays. When you’re on the road the workouts don’t have to be as long, but staying active is crucial.

How do you recommend being active on the road?

1. Short 15-20 minutes bouts of all out exercises will help combat all of the extra meals, drinks and treats.
2. Practice “Push-aways”.  After you’ve eaten an appropriate amount of food and before you go up for seconds push yourself away from the table and put your plate in the kitchen.
3. Instead of picking up more dessert make a big salad with greens and veggies.  This way you can have something to share and you will be able to control a little better what you’re eating.  Just add protein and a small amount of carbs and you are set.

What's your overall fitness philosophy?

Most people gravitate to one form of training.  Some focus more on cardio or endurance while other focus mainly on lifting.  In my opinion someone that is fit can perform at a high level within both of those parameters.  I think of fitness as the ability to have strength, stamina, agility and power all in one.  To do this you must train hard and always vary the training to consistently keep your body pushing to the next level. Get plenty of rest and develop a conscience awareness of what you are eating and putting into your body.

Want to amp up your fitness routine with Torres?  In January, he's offering 90 minute 'Raise the Bar' classes that include 45 minutes of strength training followed by 45 minutes of cardio.  Something I'm super eager to try as I don't think I have enough stamina to complete, but am determined!