Just make sure to savor the season sensibly, says a doctor at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and School of Medicine.
"One thing to remember is the need for balance. Energy in and energy out," Kevin Patrick, M.D., professor of family and preventive medicine, UCSD School of Medicine said in a statement this week. "We know we'll likely consume more because it's almost unavoidable with gatherings and gifts of food. So, we should make a conscious effort to balance this with an extra session at the gym, longer walks, or something else that involves movement."
Patrick also recommends taking time just to relax, either alone or with someone else to gain some support to avoid the abundant temptations of this season.
To help do that, the American Heart Association offers these tips: Share your workout time with family and visiting relatives, find activities that people at different fitness levels can share together; Go ahead and watch the kid's evening play rehearsal, but instead of sitting down stand in back or along the side and march in place to get a workout in while you watch; Keep a record of your fitness activities and reward yourself for keeping it up with some non-caloric rewards, some time alone maybe.
