Free and easy holiday fitness for the over fifty crowd – no extra pounds, no extra belly fat

There are articles all over the internet with tips on how to avoid piling on pounds, increasing belly fat and stressing our hearts.

Chances are we won’t need to sign up for a rigorous gym program in January if we’re willing to invest a few minutes a day to stay ahead of the game in December.

Some of the most sensible and easy tips are also free and available to most reasonably mobile people over fifty.

Here are some of my favorites.

• Don’t fight for a parking spot at the mall. Park farther away, and walk briskly from your spot. It shouldn’t be too hard to walk briskly if winters are cold where you live!

• What exercises can you do at your desk at work? Knee bends and lunges are easy to fit in. If you get funny looks from your fellow workers, just tell them what you’re doing, and chances are they’ll want to join in.

• Can you walk around your parking lot at work? Invest a few minutes in your health, and when you get home you will have that virtuous feeling that comes from getting in your exercise.

• Don’t go to an office? You can exercise for a few minutes at home, or by walking around the block.

• Make a point of getting in a little extra exercise BEFORE treating yourself at a holiday party. A half hour walk allows you to sample that smoked salmon hors d’oeuvre without guilt. That way you will feel good when you enjoy the treat instead of groaning at the thought that you have to pay for it with exercise the next day.

• Eat something healthy before going out to the office party or get-togethers with friends. If you arrive ravenous, you will fall on the snacks and consume hundreds of calories without even noticing. Hundreds of calories translate into that dreaded extra belly fat and pounds.

• Protein is a good choice because we don’t feel hungry again as fast when we eat protein as when we eat carbs. Try a few bites of cooked chicken or tuna on a slice of whole grain bread.

• Intersperse a drink of alcohol with a non-alcoholic drink like sparkling water or tea. Just don’t choose a sugary soda or you’ll defeat the purpose of holiday fitness.

Here’s to holiday fitness!