Holiday Parties

Since it is the Holiday season I thought I would offer a couple of ways to stay lean or even get leaner during the Holidays. I typically don't condone eating excess sugar or carbs but it is hard for many people to avoid during this time of the year. So if you are going to be eating more carbs then here are a couple of strategies that may help.

1) Eat protein first. Remember that the word "protein," translated in Greek means of first importance. Protein is the most filling of all of the nutrients so if you know that you are going to be around a lot of tempting foods try to eat protein first so you will not eat as much junk.

2) Earn your carbs. If you know that you are going to be around a lot of high sugar foods then try and get an extra workout in that week. When you workout you deplete muscle glycogen which will make it more likely that when you do eat sugar it will go to your muscles. A workout right before your Holiday party may also be a good idea because you will go to the party with improved insulin sensitivity.

3) Bring your fish oil. By taking fish oil with your sweets you will improve your insulin sensitivity. This will also make it more likely that the sugar will go to your muscle rather than your fat.

4) Cycle your carbs. If you know that you are going to be around tempting foods on the weekend then make an effort to eat fewer carbs and calories during the week. This combined with an extra workout or two that week will create a situation in which the sweets can be used by your muscles. This is a trick that has been used by bodybuilders for years and it is very effective but it does require very good discipline and hard work the rest of the week.