5 Ways to Avoid the Holiday Buldge

They say the average American gains about ten pounds through the course of the holidays leading up through the New Year. Here are five go-to tactics that will help you keep your waist-line in check.

5. Get an early start on your New Years' resolution --
Face it, we both know your resolution will be to lose the weight you put on after the holidays, so get your gym membership early this year, and save some money by cashing in on year-end gym deals. Get in there for 20 minutes three times a week for some HIIT cardio to offset the extra holiday calories.

4. Don't go for the second serving --
Two servings more likely than not means twice the calories, so do yourself a favor and just say no to the second go-around. The holidays is a time to enjoy yourself, so savor the first plate, then spend the rest of the evening socializing rather than grazing.

3. Organize your plate --
Remember portion control. Separate your plate into quarters to ensure that you aren't going overboard with starches, and are instead giving yourself room for plenty of protein and veggies. Have a few bites of pie instead of an entire slice.

Salmon, tabbouleh, multi-gran quinoa, and brown rice. Yummm.

2. Mind your liquid calories --
The holidays might make us reach for that extra glass of wine or egg nog, but be mindful that these calories add up quickly. Switch out your sodas for water, or have your wine in place of dessert instead of in addition to it. And remember, the less you eat, the easier it will be to get a buzz. Win-win!

1. Dance!
Dancing burns a lot of calories, and you have a good time doing it, so instead of sitting out on the fun, join in and move your body to burn those calories. You'd be surprised how quickly you'd get out of breath when you're having fun moving your body. The sillier, the better!

The Holidays are about having fun and being around those you love, so divert your attention to the things that truly matter this holiday season instead of focusing on your meals. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Hard Work Doesn’t Beat Talent

My dad is one of the hardest working people I know. He wakes up hours before sunrise, and works until long after sunset every day. On some Sundays he takes a day off from the shop, only to sit out on the front porch with his tools displayed on the lawn in case any passersby want to purchase his surplus.

Sitting out here with him in sunny Los Angeles, I presented him with a common phrase thrown around in the fitness industry: “hard work beats talent”.

“No.” He says immediately, to my surprise. My curiosity is piqued. He continues, “Bill is one of the hardest working people I know. He works tirelessly on anything he can get his hands on, but he doesn’t get anywhere because he isn’t any good at what he does.”

So in essence, Bill is spinning his wheels, and rather ambitiously at that. And so I think back to the articles upon articles I’ve come across pointing successes in bodybuilding to a genetic predisposition along with the help of a few choice anabolic drugs and think, so what about the average person? Is someone with a 9-to-5 who spends a few hours a week in the gym doomed to spin their wheels for the rest of their lives simply because they may have been handed the genetic short-stick?

The truth is, yes, some people are just terribly unlucky. It’s a sad reality. There will be those who can be fit with minimal effort, and others who will work for years and never come close.

But here’s where I disagree with Dad: if Bill were to be handed the proper tools and instruction, then with enough coaxing, Bill could be incredibly successful.

This is why it becomes increasingly important to do good research, to surround yourself with people who have similar goals and interests, and to seek assistance from those who have the experience and knowledge to help you work smarter, not harder.