This week's Direct Doctors' tip highlights the best way to get more out of every work out - "Do This, Not That!"

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From sugary Christmas cookies to high fat and high cholesterol egg nog, the holiday season is filled with temptations. Looking for ways enjoy the holidays without packing on the pounds?  Here are a few of our favorite tips...

1.) Eat healthier in anticipation of your holiday meal
A few days before you know you will be eating heavily, compensate by being mindful of what you eat.  Eliminate higher glycemic index foods such as sugary carbohydrates as much as possible; eat lighter and more filling foods like veggies & fruits; and, be mindful of alcohol and coffee intake, as they often mean "empty" calories. 

2.) Eat breakfast and lunch before your holiday meal
Although it might be tempting to skip breakfast and lunch in anticipation of a large dinner, experts say this is the wrong thing to do when trying to keep weight off. It just leaves you prone to "binging" and overeating.  Eating a normal-sized healthy and filling breakfast and lunch will keep your metabolism in action and keep you fuller for that heavy meal.
Try a 1 whole egg/3 egg white omelet with veggies for breakfast and a healthy portion of peanut butter and celery around lunchtime. And, of course, be mindful of portions during your holiday dinner!  More is not merrier if you end up stuffed and achey! 

3.) Continue exercising regularly
During the holiday season, regular exercise becomes increasingly important to keep the pounds off and keep your energy up!  Since the holidays are so busy, it can be difficult to fit in a full workout. Try 30 minutes of stress relieving yoga to stay active and reduce stress, or do a 30 minute cardio workout from YouTube each day. My personal favorite are the Les Milles on Demand videos - for $12.99 per month you have unlimited access to high-quality professional workout videos right in your home!  This reduces your commute to the gym and helps you squeeze in a quick 30 minute energy booster.

4.) Bring your own healthier alternatives
Can’t resist having a slice of pie once the family puts the dessert out? Don’t sweat it – bring your own healthier pie and have a slice with no regrets. Use sugar-free pudding and sugar-free whipped cream for a calorie conscious pudding pie!  Having just one of your mother-in-law’s famous Christmas cookies is often easier said than done, so instead bring your own healthier cookie alternative!  A delicious mixed fruit salad is one of my favorites.

5.) Keep leftovers wisely
Be sure to pick and choose what leftovers you decide to hang on to. Keeping too many fatty, high carb leftovers in the house will be tempting – so don’t risk it!  Keep only a portion or two of stuffing and mashed potatoes, and send the rest home with a relative.  Hang on to the green beans and corn (as long as it’s not cooked with copious amounts of full-fat butter). It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if it’s going to be a temptation, send it home with someone else!

Dr. Mark Turshen MD and Dr. Lauren Hedde DO are accepting new patients at their Direct Doctors family practice in North Kingstown (Wickford), Rhode Island.  Direct Doctors is an innovative primary care practice emphasizing an improved doctor-patient relationship.  Drs. Hedde and Turshen offer 24/7 access, no waiting, same day visits, home visits, and a doctor who knows YOU well!  If you are frustrated with “fast-food”, “cookie-cutter” health care, Direct Doctors may be just the prescription for you. Check out the Direct Doctors difference at www.directdoctors.org, email [email protected], or call 401-400-2699.

For lots of folks the holidays = stress.  Reading Prep & Pearls latest blog reminded me of this!   For me, the holidays are a time of multi-tasking.  Since I am, by nature, a multi-tasker, I love this time of year!  You’re probably reading this and giving me a dirty look now!  But, it’s true - I like to balance the chaos of being a mom to a newborn & a 2-year-old, wife to a husband who works a full-time job, owner of my own family practice, shopping buddy to my mom, and host of the big party.  My secret is to add little bits of fun into the to-do list around the holidays and to try my best not to take any of it too seriously.  Here are some ideas to try in order to mix it up this holiday season.
 
Shop & Stop
My friend, Tuni, and fabulous “Queen Bee” of the Hive in North Kingstown's Lafayette Mills, was just telling me about her weekend trip to the stores.  By mixing in brunch and mimosas, local stops at her favorite stores, and a late-day appetizer, she made her typically stressful day into a really fun experience with her better half.
 
Keep it Local
Malls can be overwhelming at any time of year.  Around the holidays, stores can be packed and lines can be long, plus you never quite feel like you can find those deals everyone talks about!  So, keep it local.  In Wickford, we have an amazing array of local stores where you can feel good about supporting your neighbors while picking up unique finds for friends & family.  Find your mom an amazing bracelet at JW Graham, your significant other some massage oil at Beauty & the Bath, and some delicate stationary for your grandma at Different Drummer.   Shop - then stop in - at Tate’s or Sonoma Wine Bar for a glass of wine and crab cakes.
 
Have a Game Plan
Whatever your strategy, it’s good to review it in advance.  If you’re cooking a big holiday meal, write down who is bringing what and make sure you have the holes filled in advance.  This will save last minute runs to Dave’s during the busiest days of the year.  If you have lots of friends and family to buy gifts for, write down your ideas when they pop into your head.  And don’t forget to check things off the list – that happens to be my favorite part! 
 
Give Differently
Wracking your brain to come up with the perfect gift?  This stresses me out more than anything around the holidays!  For some reason, I’ve decided I either have to get something the person will love everyday of their life or I’ve failed.  Where this pressure comes from, I’ll never know.  If you have the same perseveration, consider gifting charitable donations in your friend’s name (i.e. for you dog-loving friend, donate to the NK Animal Shelter Support Foundation). 
 
Be Flexible
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that nothing ever goes as planned!  With a newborn and 2 year old, this is more often the case than not.  So, my best advice is avoiding stress by avoiding perfection.  In the end, the holidays are wonderful because of the time we spend around our closest friends and family.  If we don’t find the perfect gifts, or we miss someone on the list; if we forget to take the rolls out of the oven before they burn (a family tradition at my house); if we take a nap instead of arriving early for a party – say it with me – “It’s OK!”  Tis the season to enjoy the good things in life and to share love and joy with the ones who matter – let’s not forget that. 
 
And, always remember, that if stress seems to be getting in the way of functioning or you find yourself crying a lot, having trouble sleeping, or not being able to enjoy yourself in the way you typically do – check with your doctor.  The holidays can certainly exacerbate or bring on depression for some folks – so make sure to have a doctor you trust and can discuss this with if it does seem like more than a little stress. 
 
Dr. Mark Turshen MD and Dr. Lauren Hedde DO are accepting new patients at their Direct Doctors family practice in North Kingstown (Wickford), Rhode Island.  Direct Doctors is an innovative primary care practice emphasizing an improved doctor-patient relationship.  Drs. Hedde and Turshen offer 24/7 access, no waiting, same day visits, home visits, and a doctor who knows YOU well!  If you are frustrated with “fast-food”, “cookie-cutter” health care, Direct Doctors may be just the prescription for you. Check out the Direct Doctors difference at www.directdoctors.org, email [email protected], or call 401-400-2699.