Forget dreaming of a white Christmas. Many of us are dreaming of pumpkin pie, eggnog and stuffing ourselves with stuffing. Christmas cookies, anyone? Make my dessert a double!
Today's beauty 911 question: How can you eat on Christmas Day and not gain weight?
Last week, I got Jillian Michaels on the phone who was happy to share her advice with Style Goes Strong readers.
I caught up with her on the set of "The Biggest Loser" which returns to NBC this January. After taking a bit of time off to spend with her family, fans are thrilled that Jillian – the voice of diet reason – is back with a vengeance.
So, let's get right to it?
Can we pig out over the holidays? Should we munch carrots or eat that dark meat with extra gravy (No...and no).
BEAUTY 911: WE NEED DIETING TIPS FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
JILLIAN MICHAELS SAYS THESE ARE HER TIPS FOR LOSING WEIGHT:
INDULGE ON CHRISTMAS DAY. NO THAT'S NOT A TYPO. "For me, it's about not binging during the entire holiday season. I don't eat like crazy for a month, but it is okay to take the bigger two days like Christmas and New Years and indulge a little bit. You can go a little crazy knowing in your mind that the rest of the time you will stay on your regime.
WORK IT OUT: "You should exercise during the holiday season," Jillian says. "If you're traveling bring your exercise DVD. Get a guest pass at your family's gym. Don't forget to move."
FIGURE IT OUT MATHEMATICALLY: "For me in general, I like the 80-20 rule on the holidays and every day. Think of this way: Eat healthy for 80 percent of your day and allow yourself 20 percent of your calories for a treat," she says.
"I will indulge on a glass of wine," she says. "On Christmas Day just have a small piece of pumpkin pie to fit your 80-20 rule."
FIT YOUR DIET INTO THE PARTY: Jillian knows that there might be nothing but creamy green bean casserole or pasty dough with mystery surprises inside at your holiday party. She says one way to eat what you need is to bring it with you. "Bring a healthier dish to Christmas," she says. "That way you know there will be something good for you there."
Jillian's Other Christmas Day Dieting Tips:
*Bring a veggie tray with you and a healthy salsa dip. It's a low cal way to eat appetizers and avoid the creamy, fried, doughy stuff.
*Always pick white meat and not dark meat when it comes to turkey.
*Bring a new type of green bean casserole. "I love to steam green beans and add a little olive oil and lemon on top. Add almond slivers on tip," Jillian says. "It's not your regular green bean casserole." And no…do not add those fried onion rings!
*Indulge on Christmas Day, but get back on your 80-20 plan tomorrow. "Don't indulge for a week," she says.
IN A FUTURE COLUMN, JILLIAN WILL GIVE US HER MIDLIFER DIET TIPS, PLUS SOME SECRETS OF THE NEW SEASON OF "THE BIGGEST LOSER."
