Staying fit during the holiday season

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Douglas Wall
  • 39th Mission Support Squadron Commander
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Personally, I enjoy this time of the year more than any other. I'm sure many of you do as well. However, since my metabolism changed from one of a young person to one of an older person, I have dreaded it as well. It is a season marked with parties and other traditions that center around eating, and not normally the healthiest variety. Three solid months of feasting...it's not just the parties themselves, but we find ways of prolonging the celebrations by inundating our work centers with holiday goodies. All of this adds up to not only the festive season, but the fat season as well. If you don't enter the season with a plan to combat the onslaught of calories, you may find yourself "unfit to fight" come the New Year.

To begin with, you need to pick and choose which events you will actively participate in. Most folks will not be offended if you don't eat their baked goods if they know you are trying to stay fit. Additionally, resist the urge to hang out by the food table and "graze." I find that by putting my food on a plate and then moving away from the buffet, I actually consume fewer calories.

As you come up with a plan to stay fit through this trying period one principle remains true: consistency and restraint will keep you in shape. This is a dangerous time for many, as they will be tempted by fad diets to combat the increased feasting. Believe me, I've tried them all. Vegetarian, no carbs, no fat, cabbage soup, etc. They've all been the same, quick loss with a rebounding gain in weight that left me bigger than I was before. The only safe and long-lasting fitness program is one that produces small gains over time and is associated with real lifestyle changes.

I find one sure method to see specific progress is to make goals and work towards them. For myself, this has meant entering every scheduled race/run the base has to offer. Also, to run in organized gatherings when I find them. The next such goal I have is to run the half marathon on 17 November, I hope to see you there. While I'm not the fitness poster-boy, with steady workouts I have been able to decrease my mile and half time by 30 seconds since arriving in Turkey. I expect even greater improvement during my next test.

With consistency and restraint it is possible to be in better physical shape on the other side of the holiday season--it can be done!