By Erica Blitz | December 2011

No matter which holiday you celebrate, December in Canada means two things: an abundance of food and too little daylight! This combination of excess calories and minimal light often translates into a lack of exercise, weight gain and a general feeling of the ‘blahs’. But wait a minute—isn’t it the season to be merry and bright?

This season of celebration doesn’t have to equate to gluttonous eating—or deprivation either, for that matter. Aim to bring the focus back to the original purpose of the holidays: enjoy your friends and family, the time off and the traditions of the season. Here are some ideas how you can have your cake and eat it too during this joyous time of year.

Shop Well For Yourself

Stock your kitchen with healthy foods and have healthy snacks handy. Instead of thinking about what you shouldn’t eat, make a commitment to eat your three to five servings of vegetables each day.

Schedule Your Exercise

Don’t let a busy holiday season schedule throw off your exercise routine. Keeping fit is the best way to feel merry and bright through the season into the New Year. Create some structure around your workouts and schedule gym and yoga sessions just as you would any other appointment.

Winter Wonderland

Vancouver has a world-class resort within reach, so get out there and play. Appreciate the beauty of the season by strapping on those skates or hitting the slopes for downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or hiking—enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise!

Hydrate

Keep your water bottle with you at all times and aim for those notorious eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Remember to space out your alcoholic beverages with a glass of water. This not only helps to keep you hydrated but also helps you to feel fresh the next day …