Holiday Season Survival Guide- How to Limit Fat Gain on the Holidays

It's been a strange year, weather wise. At least it's been strange here in NYC. It rained for what seemed like the entire spring season, and then the summer had very little rain. At the end of August we got hit with a "hurricane" which seemed to cut the summer short by a month. I went to a block party the first week of September and I was wearing a heavy sweatshirt. Then, over the past weekend- the first weekend of December, I was out in the park in a t-shirt and shorts!

Well, we're in the second week of December now, and I finally had to break out a new jacket. It also means that this weekend starts the string of holiday parties and dinners.

The time of year notorious for adding 10- 15 pounds then promising to burn it off at midnight, December 31st.

Why make it harder on yourself? Why not take a few precautions while enjoying yourself and only add an easy to burn pound or two?

To help limit the fat gain here are a few tips to make sure your hard work doesn't go down the drain.

1) Adjust your gym schedule

Schedule your exercise sessions right before any big meals. Performing the workout before the big feast will allow your body to use the feast to it's advantage. A good portion of the feast will go toward recovery from exercise and stored as fuel- instead of fat stores. After the workout, your hard working muscles are like a sponge waiting to soak up all the nutrients.

2) Tack on some extra cardio

Cardio is an ultimate calorie burner, and the more calories you burn, the less fat you'll have on your body. I have some of my clients add an additional session of cardio on their day off and some like to hit the gym (or whatever their preferred venue) for a second session at night or in the morning.

If you're already tapped out on how many times you can do cardio, you can also extend your current cardio sessions by 5- 20 minutes.

3) When you're pressed for time

Perform my friend Eugene's 7.5 minute Tabata workout- it's a workout that can be done at home, and is stimulates the metabolism like wildfire. You'll also get all the benefits mentioned above.

4) Drink a whole bunch of water (or as the professionals say, stay hydrated).

Keep a bottle of water (or green tea with some lemon squeezed in for flavor) by your side at all times. You're much better off getting those calories from food instead of drinking them. If you're the one hosting and or preparing everything, it can get hot in the kitchen. You'll also be running around to stores and stress levels can get up there. Water helps quench your thirst and helps ease the stress. Usually, the meal itself will contain copious amounts of sodium and getting a consistent flow of fresh fluids will help you from getting bloated.

5) Have 20 grams of whey protein about a half hour before the big meals

Studies have shown that having about 20 grams of whey protein before meals cuts down the total food you'll eat at the meal. You simply don't have the urge to eat as much, and therefore you'll take in less calories.

6) Eat the fibrous vegetables first in the meal

Eating fibrous vegetables will help cut down on gorging on the high calorie stuff. The fiber fills you up quick and you'll be less likely to go crazy on the pastries and pies.

7) Try my green apple trick

Green apples have pectin- a fiber that takes fills you up, as well as a natural chemical that satiates you. You can also try this with half of a medium grapefruit- the fiber fills you up, plus an essential oil in the white pithy part of the rind lowers insulin levels and quells hunger.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. This is the time to celebrate and enjoy family and friends. Unless you're going to be competing on stage, leave the celery sticks and Tofurkey alone and enjoy yourself!