10 Easy Ways to Survive Holiday Eating and Travel
POSTED BY Team AX IN Training @ December 19, 2011 - 9:44 am
Surviving Holiday Travel

Packing on the mass might be just what you are trying to achieve with your fitness and supplement plan. But packing on the pounds of fat? Nobody wants that!

Well, you could become a hermit, mysteriously go missing, and avoid everyone. Or, you could spend the next 60 seconds reading over these 10 fool proof tips we put together about enjoying the holiday goodies without feeling guilty the next time you look in the mirror.

1 - Going on a road trip? Ziplocks and a cooler are your friends. Pack a small cooler full of precooked and peeled hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken breasts, whole grain bagels, and a chilled bottle of water.

2 - Traveling with someone who just has to stop at every single Starbucks? A Venti Skinny Peppermint Latte clocks in at just 170 calories and you'll still get 16 grams of protein.

3 - Workout before the festivities. This is an excellent idea for two reasons. First, many people discover it's a great motivator to snack and drink less if they've accomplished a fantastic workout earlier. Second, it's a great way to help burn off those extra calories before you even eat them. Plus, it even helps rev your metabolism for hours afterwards, allowing your body to better metabolize extra calories.

4 - Find your self needing to eat at fast food? When in doubt, choose the grilled chicken breast option. Most fast food restaurants give you the option of grilled or crispy chicken. Crispy chicken will contain more fat and carbs, often pushing the total calorie count over that of a burger. At Wendy's you can substitute those unhealthy french fries for a baked potato or salad.

5 - Eat the sweets at the "right time." Following an intense workout, your body needs plenty of simple sugars to help replenish spent glycogen in the muscle. So, rather than leaving those cookies on the counter and at the mercy of random late night cravings, have a couple sweets during the 60 minutes following your workout. Your body will be primed during this time put those extra calories towards muscle growth and recovery instead.

6 - Wait 20. It's so tempting to go back for seconds or grab dessert after a meal, I know. But before you do, wait 20 minutes. Why? Research shows it can take up to 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you're full. And when you feel full, you'll be inclined to eat less.

7 - On the big day, eat as you normally do. Many people skip meals or eat less prior to a big dinner, thinking they can "save their calories for later." The truth is, you'll be even hungrier come dinner time if you do. So eat as you normally do during the day, having a small meal every 2-3 hours. You won't be as hungry when you finally sit down at the table, and you'll be less likely to over eat too.

8 - Chicken salad. Almost every restaurant has some form of chicken salad. Just order it with the dressing on the side.

9 - Time your drinking. Alcohol itself doesn't make you fat. What gets people in trouble is the increase in appetite alcohol causes. There's a reason you and your buddies ordered the pizza and cheese sticks at 1am after drinking all night in the dorms! If you're going to drink, save your drinks until after you've eaten. You're already full, and you'll find your appetite will be less.

10 - If you are staying at a hotel, check with the front desk, or on a website like mapmyrun.com to find out the best running routes in the area so that you can get your cardio in.



But most of all, enjoy your holiday season and have a great 2012!

- Team AX