Holiday Meals and Calories

The holidays are a scary time when trying to lose weight! A lot of people gain around 20 + pound from October through January! I wanted to give you some food for thought...

You're with friends and family that you haven't seen in some time. If it is anything like my family,the focal point of the gathering is the meal and drinks. Think a little healthier this year and don't ruin what you have started!

Well, what does the meal add up to in calories and how much exercise do you have to do to burn those calories? Here's some numbers to think about:

ITEM AMOUNT CALORIES
red wine --3.5 oz --75
white wine --3.5 ounces --80
regular beer --12 ounces --160
light beer --12 ounces --95 or 64
80 proof alcohol --1.5 ounces --95
90 proof alcohol --1.5 ounces --110
egg nog --8 ounces --340
canned cranberry sauce --1 cup --420
bread stuffing --1 cup --420
mashed potatoes --1 cup --225
sweet potatoes --1 cup --115 -260
white meat turkey --3 ounces, (2 slices, 1/4") --135
dark meat turkey --3 ounces --160
roast beef --3 ounces,(1/4" thick) --315
gravy-- 1 cup --190
cheese cake --1 slice-- 280
apple pie --1 slice(1/6 9" pie) --405
pumpkin pie --1 slice --320
choc. chip cookies --4 21/2" diameter --180
sugar cookies --4 --235
oatmeal cookies --4-- 245
shortbread cookies --4 --155

Now if you add up that holiday meal, along with the drinks, and deserts - and this doesn't even include those yummy high calorie called appetizers (which is, I admit, another favorite of mine)- a realistic intake is over 2000 calories at a single sitting. That's right, 2000 calories. Then who gets second, thirds, or who eats all day?

If this is normally you-- you might consider taking a walk/run the morning of. Or maybe make up your own little circuit and do it first thing in the morning. I have a sample circuit in the old archives to help you out! I know it is hard to do it on your own, so maybe try and get a family member or friend to do it with you! It will help burn all those calories you are about to eat!

Here are some other numbers to look at -these approximations are on a 150 pound woman in better than average condition and will vary from one individual to another, but you'll get the point.

EXERCISE TIME CALORIES
B.I.C.T --60 min --300-700

walk, 15 minutes/mile --30 minutes --200
golf, walking --270 minutes --600
jogging10 minutes/mile --30 minutes --330
stationary cycling-- 45 minutes --450
weight lifting-- 60 minutes --350
stair climber --30 minutes --300
raking leaves --120 minutes --400
snow shoveling --30 minutes --350

Conclusions: Don't eat over the holidays!!! JUST KIDDING! Just know what your putting into your body and eat your favorites in moderation! I am NOT trying to ruin your holiday dinner because you know that is my favorite dinner-but I just want you to be a little healthier this year and don't ruin what you have done up to this point! It can take you up to a week to burn one holiday meal! You can still eat your favorite foods just be careful!

If you have a favorite holiday recipe that you what me to make healthier--please let me know I would love to help any way I can! Have a great night!