The Holidays are here! What are you doing to stay healthy?

Tina Arnold, aka “The Holistic Chick”, has had a passion for healthy living and helping others for more than a decade. She used this passion and started Holistic Chick, LLC, a health and wellness business on Daniel Island designed to empower your life with health and happiness! An island resident, Tina is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives through exercise, nutrition and environmentally friendly living. Now she’s sent us a few great tips for staying in shape this holiday season.

I love this time of year, which is rich in traditions for so many people. A lot of those traditions include consuming delicious foods and other yummy treats, but you shouldn’t worry about depriving yourself completely from all the scrumptious goodies of the holidays!

Tina Arnold, the "Holistic Chick"

Instead, here are a few tips to keep you on track this holiday season.

• Don’t be afraid to say no! Whether it’s Aunt Rose trying to shove more food down your throat, a friend that has just invited you to the 3rd cookie exchange or someone trying to get rid of their party leftovers on you because they don’t want them…Just Say No!
• Use a program like www.fitday.com to keep track of what you’re eating so you can tell if you’ve been overeating and under-moving.
• Cut back on high calorie and high fat items during the day you if you plan on attending a party that night. BUT, this doesn’t mean skip meals so you can gorge at the party! Enjoy the party but practice moderation in your eating and drinking.
• Use your time off and your time with the kids to fit in some extra exercise.
• Drink alcohol with food, not on an empty stomach.
• Don’t strive to be perfect and don’t expect to lose a lot of weight this time of year. Enjoy yourself but maintain some discipline when it comes to eating, drinking and being merry!

Here’s to a happy, healthy holiday season filled with traditions, friends, family and a little self-control!