Trim Calories During the Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas and New Year’s are the next calorie spiked minefields. Whether it’s avoiding a “small piece” of every dessert, or celebrating with a little too much bubbly, you can enjoy yourself without adding extra calories.

Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett reminds us that it is important to enjoy this time of year. After all, family and friends go to great lengths to celebrate with one another. Savor the laughter, the smells, and tastes of the holidays while making smart choices, and you will be able to manage your weight while celebrating the spirit of the season.

Spice Up Your Life Naturally
Homemade meals generally have less salt and calories than processed foods, and adding fresh herbs and spices enhances flavor, stimulates circulation and aids in digestion. Warm up by adding ground ginger or cinnamon to breakfast smoothies, roasted peaches and winter squash soups.

Savor The Flavor
A recent study from New Zealand’s University of Otago reveals that the average weight difference between women who eat slowly, and those who wolf down their food is four pounds.

Make Calories Count
Lean proteins such as turkey, beans, nuts and seeds have staying power. Vegetables are filling because they’re packed with fiber and water. This year, set out a platter of roasted beets, broccoli, fennel, green beans, carrots and zucchini, and watch it disappear.

Reach Out
The more involved you are in conversation, the less you will eat. And hopefully, you’ll laugh also. Waiting 10 minutes before filling up on seconds may cause you to forget about that return trip all together.

Guilt-Free Toast
Instead of calorie laden alcohol, try sparkling water with a splash of fresh juice, such as lemon, orange, pomegranate or cranberry for a guilt-free midnight toast.

The holidays are about enjoying each other, as well as comforting, home cooked meals. Follow these tips, and you’ll enjoy this time of year without adding extra calories.

Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing the program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,800 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.

The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, cardio box and Latin style movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall "feel good" factor.  Additional Jazzercise programs include Junior Jazzercise, Jazzercise Lite and Personal Touch.  For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com