Avoiding winter weight gain

3 easy steps to prevent winter weight gain this holiday season:

Sherry Torkos examines the best stress reducers, immune booster and ways to trim those pounds from our holidays. Torkos has devised a three-step plan for preventing the pounds from piling on over the holidays, reduce stress and boost immunity.

Trim the fat from your next holiday meal

• Have a full glass of water before your meal (visuals)
  
  
• Eat slowly - give your belly a chance to send the message to your brain that you are full
  
  
• Fill up on greens (beans, broccoli, salad) because these foods are high in nutrients and low in calories
  
  
• Choose sweet potatoes over mashed potatoes because they are higher in fiber and lower in the glycemic index
  
  
• Go easy on the dinner rolls and stuffing - high in glycemic index and calories
  
  
• Minimize adding butter and gravy - both contain lots of calories from fat
  
  
• Choose apple pie (227 calories) over pecan pie (650 calories); avoid the whip cream (40 calories/tbsp)
  
  
• Drink green tea after dinner instead of coffee

• Do a 10 minute power walk outdoors, or 10 minute marching or stair climbing indoors
  
  
• Follow with 20 leg lunges, 20 push-ups, 20 squats and then repeat this sequence twice (15 minutes). These exercises work multiple muscle groups so that you are getting the most out of your time, plus they don't require specialized equipments because you are using your own body weight as resistance
  
  
• Spend five minutes stretching (top to bottom) - this will also ease the holiday stress and tension which accumulates in our muscles