At last, the holidays are here!  And with them come the long hours in the kitchen, festive get-togethers, endless shopping lines, travel obligations, family commitments and life on the run.  It's no wonder with all this holiday stress, watching what you eat and exercising regularly take a back seat.

However, healthy habits can help ward off colds and flus, while helping you keep your weight in check and manage your busy schedule.  To help you stay healthy and happy during this holiday season, the YMCA staff and Carolinas Medical Center health center nurses within the YMCAs have come up with several simple tips.

Weight Management & Nutrition

Regardless of what holiday you celebrate, parties and gatherings make overeating easy during this time of the year. Here are some ways to help keep that weight off your waistline:

Eat in moderation. Go ahead. Have a piece of cake; just manage your portion size. Know what you are eating and eat at a slow pace. That way you know when you are full and avoid overeating.

Don't skip meals. Don't avoid eating all day thinking you can eat at the party. This type of splurging actually causes your body to hold onto calories.

Eat ahead. Nervous about what foods are being served at the next party? Eat before you go and you won't be starving when you get there.

Take a dish. If you know the party isn't going to offer a lot of healthy options, take a nutritious dish to pass. This way you are guaranteed at least one healthy choice.

Maintain physical activity. Keep exercise a priority and continue your daily physical regiment. Traveling? There are YMCAs across the country. Check with your local branch and let us locate a YMCA close to your destination. If you are traveling with family members, encourage them to exercise with you. Call them ahead, so they too can travel with their workout gear.

Drink water. People often forget to drink water during this time of the year. Continue to drink water like you normally do. Make sure you get enough hydration, especially when exercising.

Stress Management

Between making holiday meals, decorating, gift buying and everything else, there is never enough time during the holidays. This increased pace, as well as changes to your daily routine, lead to more stress. Here are a few ways to reduce this stress and enjoy the festive season:

Eat healthy. In order to maintain your energy level, continue eating healthy. Be sure to eat at least five or more servings of fruits and vegetable each day. If you are eating a lot of unhealthy foods and not getting enough nutrition, you tend to become tired quicker. The more tired people are, the more stressed they feel. Eating healthy foods will allow you to feel revived and energized.

Plan ahead. Start now. Make your card and gift lists today. Begin planning your holiday meals and purchase the items on a weekly basis rather than waiting till the last minute. Share these lists with family members so everyone has a part and the responsibility does not fall on one individual.

Schedule time for you. You've heard it a million times - exercise is a big stress reliever. Make time for your workout, whether it is at the YMCA or a walk around the neighborhood. Also, find time just for you.

Communicate with family. Discuss and understand what the stresses are and compromise to reduce each others' stress. Ask yourselves the following questions:  What would make it happen?  What do you or your family members need to do?  What needs to change in order for this to happen?

For more information on staying healthy during the holidays, feel free to contact the CMC nurse at your YMCA.