This is a program I did for TOPS, I would love any articles or different program ideas any of you may have.



5 WAYS TO ENJOY HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES WITHOUT PAYING ON THE SCALE

It starts before Halloween and doesn’t quit until the last butter tart exits the tin. It's a dieter’s worst nightmare - eight weeks of eating as though you're on a cruise with the world’s greatest chefs. This is the last (and hardest) stage of the voyage. Having sailed though Halloween and Thanksgiving, you still have to tackle friends and family offering tempting home made delicacies and treasured heirloom recipes before you disembark in the safe haven of the New Year. Try these five ways to keep holiday pounds at bay:


S et a Goal
A nalyze
N eutralize
T rack your Progress
A ctive Lifestyle


Setting a Goal
Let's get realistic about this. Set an achievable goal for yourself. If you have never lost 15 lbs. in 20 minutes, Christmas is not the time to try. A more realistic goal for the month of December is to lose 1 pound a week for the first 2 weeks and maintain weight the last two weeks.

Analyze
Only you know what the Holiday Season has in store for you. Make a list of the foods you would really like to indulge in and set an appropriate portion limit for yourself. Make another list of the parties and get-togethers you will most likely be attending and what you will wear to each.
Try to visualize yourself at these functions, Picture the clothes you will be wearing, how your hair and make up are done, who you are talking to, and what you have on your plate.
Example: Black dress, hair in a little up do, talking to coworker, smoked salmon, spinach dip and pumpernickel, veggies
This may sound silly but new research has shown that successful dieters’ plan for special events and that strong, detailed visualization leads to actual follow through.
Make an opposing list of foods will you will avoid this Christmas. This list should contain foods that are high in fat and calories that you don’t really enjoy or readily available nibble foods. High on my list are cheese and crackers, chips and store bought chocolates.

Neutralize
Now that you have a good idea of your holiday plans and decided on the absolute must have treats; plan to neutralize their negative effects.
 Up your work outs by 5 or 10 minutes per day
 Cut out the other little treats you normally indulge in
 Eat a baked potato, large salad, or a bowl of hearty soup before you go to a party. This way the hors d'oeuvres don’t seem nearly as tempting and you won’t risk stuffing yourself at dinner.
 Assign yourself as the Designated Driver. Not only could you possibly save a life, you save you body from those empty calories. Two very compelling reasons not to drink.
 Dance. If there's music, dance. Let the rhythm carry you away from the buffet!
 If you are going to a party and are unsure of what is to be served, bring something that you know you can eat and fill up on - without filling out. Take a basket, line it with a holiday cloth napkin, and fill it with fresh veggies and a healthy dip. Toss up a spinach and mandarin salad. Bake a batch of low fat brownies.

Track your Progress
Keep a journal. Record your successes and mistakes. This not only defines your areas of strengths and weaknesses; it organizes your thoughts allowing you to focus on new solutions to problems.

Active Lifestyle
A no-brainer for sure, but staying active definitely rates in the big 5 for holiday weight control. The pressure and stress many of us feel (Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards) over the holiday season can be reduced by simply exercising. Exercise also helps to control appetite and possesses mystical fat burning properties. What are you waiting for, get up and get moving!
 Walk the dog
 Take the kids tobogganing
 Shovel the drive
 Stick to your workout routine
 Skate

Wishing you all a safe & happy holiday season and fun, healthy New Year