Getting Back on Track After the Holidays

The Holidays are over, for better or worse—now what? Whether you strayed from the diet or not, it may take a little work to return to your normal routine. Here are a few steps to get you back on track.

1. Get rid of leftovers. Turkey can be made into healthy dishes, but mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie (if you allowed yourself these treats) should be thrown away. If you don't want to waste food, have your relatives take home the leftovers, or donate them to a local shelter.

2. Clean your kitchen. Make sure no unhealthy foods have crept back into the cupboards over the holiday. Take a trip to the grocery store to replenish your healthy snacks.

3. Return to Phase 1. If you overindulged, you may have to go back to Phase 1 in order to eliminate cravings. Don't think of it as starting over; instead, look at it as a way to avoid packing on the post-holiday pounds.

4. Get back to the gym. Dive right back into your normal exercise routine. It's easy to avoid exercising during this time of the year, but resist the temptation, and you'll help keep off extra holiday weight.

Easy, Sneaky Exercise Tricks

It's tough to find time for exercise, especially during the holiday season. But small changes in your daily activities can burn calories. Here are three easy ways to slip working out into your schedule.

1. Ditch the mixer. Stir your favorite cake batter by hand for an upper-body workout.

2. Be a squatter. Work your body's largest muscles--your thighs and buttocks--by squatting, rather than bending, when, say, pulling the roaster from the bottom cabinet or picking up your nephew. Another bonus: It protects your lower back from strain.

3. Use a hand basket to shop for groceries. You'll increase the strength in your biceps, shoulders, and back.

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE

CONCERNED ABOUT TOO MANY CARBS IN YOUR DIET?

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.