Holiday Health: Tricks to Help You Stay Away From Treats

I think of Halloween as the opening ceremony to the two-month fat convention. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holiday. But first with the big bowl of candy, then the turkey, the stuffing, the cookies, the cakes.... By the time the new year rolls around, I can barely see my neck.

Recent studies show that the average person doesn’t gain 5 to 10 pounds during the holidays as previously believed, but about one pound or so. The bad news is that most people never lose that extra pound they gain, which experts believe may contribute to obesity later in life. Ever say to yourself, I’ll lose the weight after the holidays... and then never do? That’s what that is.

Since I love to eat, the holidays are pretty hard for me. Especially since half the time I’m baking something for a party. As a former gymnast, I’ve learned some tips over the years to curb my eating.

Here are some tricks to help you stay away from the treats:

1. Keep healthy, filling snacks at your desk. You spend most of your day at work, no? Make those hours work for you. Apples are in season, so are oranges, bananas and pears. I put my fruit on my desk so that I don’t forget they’re there. I also have nuts, dried fruit and USANA Nutrition Bars (Chocolate Fusion, Oatmeal Raisin, & Peanut Butter) in my drawer. I munch on these throughout the day to keep my metabolism up and so that I don’t feel starved and end up eating a Big Mac in my car, filled with shame.

USANA Nutrition Bars

2. Drink lots of water and green tea. It’s one of the easiest things you can do. Water keeps you hydrated and feeling fuller. Studies show the antioxidants in green tea may help you lose weight faster.

3. Get that candy out of your house. That’s right. Get rid of it. My friend left Double Stuff Oreos in my apartment the other day and I threw them out, even though I have a childhood love of Oreos. Show no mercy for fattening foods; they certainly won’t take mercy on you.

4. Plan your workouts. Whether it’s in your Blackberry or on your wall calendar, schedule a time to work out. I treat my workouts like they’re appointments, so that I take them seriously. My sister thinks of her Zumba and kickboxing classes as her daily “fun time.” However you like to think about and plan them, just make sure to vary your workout activities so they stay interesting.

5. If you made it, don’t eat it. If you cook the way I do, you’re probably tasting things as you go for “quality control.” Cake batter, chocolate sauce, cream cheese frosting, etc. All those tiny bites add up. So if it’s unhealthy and you made it, you’ve probably already had enough. Let others enjoy it!

6. Make sure to get enough fiber in your diet. Whether it’s fresh produce, whole grains or a glass of Fibergy, make sure you get your recommended daily intake of dietary fiber. That’s about 39g of fiber for men and 25g for women ages 19 to 50. According to the Mayo Clinic, fiber helps you feel fuller on fewer calories.

Fibergy

7. Eat something healthy and filling BEFORE you go to a party. If you’ve got a belly full of grilled chicken salad or Nutrimeal (Chocolate Whey, Chocolate, Vanilla, & Strawberry) you’re less likely to gorge on potato chips and chocolate cake. Make a fruit smoothie with your Nutrimeal and you’ll be hitting your daily recommended intake of fruits and veggies that much faster. Check out this CDC chart (PDF) to find out how many servings of produce you need each day.


Nutrimeals

8. Indulge a little. If you don’t let yourself have anything indulgent, you’re just going to be miserable. The holidays are about having fun, so don’t forget to let yourself have a little of the things you love. My personal rule is 80/20. As long as 80% of the things I eat are healthy, I can indulge 20% of the time (give or take). Now even if you do end up gaining a little weight this winter, don’t kill yourself. You can always try the USANA RESET program to jumpstart the new year and get yourself back on track!




USANA RESET

Your Turn!
ORDER any of the products on this page from http://myfountainofyouth.usana.com!
What are some of your tricks to stay on track during the holidays? Please let me know in the comments.

PRODUCT ADDICT'S Skin Care 101 — for Men!

“It took me 6 years to drop my manly stupidity and try my wife’s Sensé products. I love it so much that I now use it every day ... men, you must try it if you have not. Don't be such a late starter like me!”
— Claude Everard Fullinfaw, USANA Associate

There is a rapidly increasing trend when it comes to men’s grooming products. More and more, men are starting to realize the importance of caring for their skin properly. After all, your skin is a mirror of your overall health. It is the largest organ and the first line of defense for your body. Healthy skin is essential for today’s modern man and taking a few extra steps can yield dramatic results. Forget complicated regimens and take a look at 5 steps to healthy, leading-man skin.


1. What’s Your Type? Know your skin type. In general, men tend to have much oilier (and thicker) skin than women and most will fall into the “Normal” or “Combination” skin care categories. If this sounds like you, it means that you have active sebaceous glands which help you look younger, but also can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Choosing products that balance your sebum (natural moisture) levels will help keep skin clear. However, if your skin is usually very dry and possibly flaky, you fall into the “Dry” or “Sensitive” category. This means you are more prone to developing premature wrinkles due to the lack of moisture in your skin. You will want to choose products designed to replenish lost moisture and increase elasticity.

2. Keep it Clean. Washing your face (preferably morning and night) with lukewarm water and a mild daily cleanser will help remove the dirt, excess oil, and pollutants that tend to build up on your skin during the day. Excess dirt and oil can clog your pores and cause unsightly breakouts. Avoid using soap which can be very drying, and instead reach for Sensé Gentle Daily Cleanser which gently removes dirt and oil without leaving your skin thirsty.

Sensé Gentle Daily Cleanser

3. Out with the Old, In with the New. Exfoliating is different from cleansing. Using a gentle exfoliator like Sensé Rice Bran Polisher before you shave will leave your skin feeling baby soft. Sloughing off dead, flaky skin cells prior to using a razor helps prevent bumps and ingrown hairs. Be sure to completely rinse the exfoliator off before shaving. Also, don’t skip the shave cream. This layer of moisture guards your skin from nicks and cuts.



Sensé Rice Bran Polisher



4. Treat Yourself. Moisturizing isn’t just for the ladies! Shaving can make your tough, manly skin quite dry. Apply moisturizer every day after shaving. If you wash your face at night (like you should!), apply your moisturizer after cleansing. For excessively oily skin, use Sensé Perfecting Essence as your moisturizer. This gentle, light formula is perfect for renewing the skin and visibly improving its texture. For all other skin types, try Sensé Daytime Protective Moisturizer during the day and Sensé Night Renewal Crème before bed.

Sensé Basic Pack

5. Shape Up! Eat well and exercise. Taking care of your skin from the inside out is part of the routine. Eating plenty of fruits and veggies high in antioxidants will help maintain healthy, glowing skin. Also, exercising regularly will not only help you feel better, but it will help you look better too! Sweating during exercise allows your body to cleanse itself naturally and helps unclog your pores. Trust me, you won’t be the only one noticing a difference!

So there you have it. Steps to better skin and a better you! That wasn’t so hard was it?!

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