The holiday season is here and the Health and Wellness Committee has a few tips to keep you fit as a fiddle during the festivities.  Keep the following simple recommendations in mind for a happy AND healthy holiday celebration:

1. Have fun eating, but try to make healthy food choices. Fill up on vegetables, proteins, and healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes or whole grains.  It is certainly okay to splurge on occasion, but remember that most appetizers (nuts, cheese, charcuterie etc.) and adult beverages are densely caloric and can skyrocket you way over your daily intake goal.  Skip the cheese spread, bread, and third martini and wait for your main course to enjoy.  While no one food is on the naughty list, you will feel healthier in 2020 if you make wise selections.
2. Keep active during the holidays and plan physical activity into your vacations schedules. A good way to keep the pounds from creeping is to exercise and keep moving during this joyous time of year.  Try to fit in a quick workout three to four times a week, even if on the road or visiting family.  It is the perfect time of year to enjoy a long walk with loved ones after dinner, or to organize a sporting event with friends.  Burning these extra calories also takes some of the sting off of that second piece of cheese cake you will be indulging upon!
3. It is a great time of year to cut loose and party, but drink responsibly and avoid excessive alcohol intake. In addition to being a massive injection of calories, a potential instigator of imprudent decisions and a recipe for a hangover, alcohol consumption also takes a big toll on our sleep cycle.  Lack of sufficient quality sleep also makes it harder for your body to control blood sugar, which causes hunger imbalances and poor food choices.  So, drink responsibly and get a full eight hours rest to keep in tip top condition.
4. Take personal time to disconnect and focus on the importance of family and friends. With the hustle and bustle of professional lives we sometimes let the little moments in life take a backseat.  Try taking a day to completely disconnect from work emails, social media, and the stresses of being a lawyer.  Wake up early, meditate, be grateful, and enjoy this special time to the max.  Work will always be there when we return from vacations, it is important that we learn to turn it off sometimes to be well-rounded and happy human beings.

Keep these simple tips in mind, and have an awesome holiday season.  Cheers and best wishes from the Health and Wellness committee!