Since when is Holiday cheer and merriment synonymous with booze?

I know what happens during the holidays - people make allowances for their diet and exercise routines that normally they would never do. Not only does this include the abundance of Christmas sugar cookies and chocolate dishes at the office, but extra happy hours and mulled wine to 'celebrate' the season with friends and family. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about holiday merriment, but last I checked I haven't spent the last number of months in the gym for the sake of a few holiday parties. Like I've said before, I'm not going to dedicate January - March to getting rid of the excess pounds and inches I've compiled on my butt over the holiday season.

Apparantely I'm not the only worried one out there. Check out this recent article published in the Toronto Star. It seems as though people are slowly realizing the downfalls of egg nog and making wiser choices in their alcohol choice - trading the 440 calories per cup of egg nog (that's right 440 calories...and be honest, you likely don't stop at one cup) for cheaper calorie alternatives like wine or hard liquor with diet pop. But it's not always the calories and sugar in the beverages that are the big downfall - it's the inhibitions that we use to make good healthy food choices that fly out the window once we've had a couple glasses of wine, in addition to the hangover that deters us from the gym the next day that are the real villains. Not only that, but alcohol halts fat-burning to a remarkably slow pace...for more scientific back up on the downfalls of alcohol when trying to lose fat, check this article out.

Here are a few realistic options to keep you well hydrated and out of trouble at your holiday events and on the fast track to your health and fitness goals:

• alternate alcoholic drinks with glasses of water - this will slow you down to reduce your total number of drinks and ensure that you take in enough water to minimize the next-day-dehydration
• make your glass of white wine into a less-boozy spritzer by using a half a glass of wine and half a glass of soda with ice and a slice of lime
• if you don't actually want to drink but your friends are giving you a hard time about it and you're tired of defending yourself - order a soda with lime and don't tell them you are 'virgin'-ing up your drink - no one needs to know how awesome you are :)
• say no to 'shots'....this one is self-explanatory
• offer to be the designated driver :) always welcome and needed this time of year
• this probably goes without saying...but remember how hard you work at the gym and on a regular basis to obtain your fitness goals - is that drink really worth setting you back? Is it getting you further away or closer to your goal? Make your choice...and if you do choose to drink - the next morning skip the greasy breakfast. Instead eat your oatmeal, drink your coffee and get back to the gym! One night off track doesn't mean you need a 2-day bender :)