Don’t wait until January to undo the trauma that you put your body through during the holidays.  Why not get a head start on your New Year’s resolution now?  I am challenging you to start on your path to becoming healthier and leaner during December rather than waiting until 2010, having those extra pounds to deal with. Here are some simple daily steps you can take to try and avoid those extra 10-15 pounds that the average American puts on during the holidays.

1. Don’t cut back on your exercise.
2. Take digestive Enzymes with meals – especially holiday parties/gatherings to aid in digestion
3. Minimize alcohol intake to one glass of wine per 3 cups of water – it takes 3 cups of water to minimize the affects the alcohol has on your blood/acidic affect.
4. Watch the sugary drinks and stick to sparkling water or try adding fresh squeezed lemon juice to your water before meals to help break down fats in the foods and keep your appetite under control so you don’t over eat.
5. Drink at least half your body weight in ounces  daily of Alkaline water – helps the body breakdown and cleanse the heavy food stuck in your colon, thus preventing the extra bulge that we so often develop after holiday meals
6. De-Stress: Incorporate daily meditation, even just 10 minutes twice/day or try yoga – helps the body and mind relax.  Less stress in the body produces less acid internally, which is the precursor to extra fat production.  Plus, we tend to overindulge and overeat when stressed.
7. Drink your green superfood drinks daily!  Starting your day off with these powerhouse green combos (wheat grass, barley grass, spirulina, chlorella, etc dried in a powder form) help to cleanse the body from the previous day; loads the body up with nutrients which creates less hunger later in the day; and helps the body alkalize internally (breaks down those stored fats created from being over acidic).
8. Healthy appetizers: Try to always prepare/eat healthy appetizers at a party or meal such as raw veggie and dip (try my raw almond dip) tray, dairy-free spinach dip, goat cheese and whole grain crackers, fruit platter or brown rice sushi
9. Watch the Dairy: Focus on dishes that have the least amount of dairy – specifically cheese, cream and butter.  Try to eat them in moderation and make 75% of your plate full of veggie dishes, lean meats, whole grains, and fresh produce.
10. Try my 3 Day Post-Holiday Cleanse
11. Drink your Meals: After eating a large holiday meal I like to have a day or two of “drinking” most of my meals to give my digestive system a chance to recover and deal with what I consumed the day before.  Drinkable meals include Young Thai Coconut water blended with fruits and superfoods, hemp protein powder mixed with smoothies or juice, fresh veggie/fruit juice, Miso broth in a mug, soup broth, Kombucha tea, Carrot juice blended with apple, celery, cucumber juice and ginger, etc.  Be creative.  Kombucha Tea: Keep a bottle or two of Kombucha Tea, found at most health stores, in your fridge.  Drinking one throughout the day aids in daily cleansing and detoxification.  Plus it helps alkalize the body especially after a night of heavy eating and decreases your appetite when drunk between meals.
12. Alakline Food Challenge:  From now through January, try eating 70% alkaline foods during the day and in between holiday meals and parties.  Feel the difference!  By January your body will feel lighter, healthier and more energetic.

Related posts:

1. Get Healthier & Leaner with Alkaline Foods & Water
2. Phase 2: The 11 Day Cleanse!
3. 3 Day Cleanse for Your Entire Body
4. Kombucha Tea: Detoxifier, healer and Alkalizer
5. Food Journal Day 2: Bites of this and that!