Take a break from studying, but not from a healthful lifestyle

Just because you'll be taking a break from school over the winter holidays doesn't mean that you can break away from your healthful eating and exercising habits. If you do, you may have to add "weight loss" to your list of New Year's resolutions for 2003.

Whereas it was once thought that the average person gained five to ten pounds over the holidays, it is now believed that the gain of one pound is more likely. But the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders has found that this additional pound is often kept for life. And you thought the (mythical) "freshman 15" was bad. Believe it or not, despite many holiday temptations, it is easier to prevent weight gain than it is to lose weight.

The good news is that while you're at home, you'll likely be much more relaxed than you will have been during exam week and, therefore, much less likely to order a pizza with the works at 2 a.m. And the mental break will allow you to get caught up on sleep, reconnect with friends and family, travel and maybe even earn some money. But in between relaxing and any adventures, you can try these health tips to keep yourself on track, even during the coldest, most food-filled season.

Break a Sweat With These Exercise Tips

Exercise not only benefits your health _ it also allows you to eat more without worrying about weight gain. While you're on break, between holiday parties, traveling, home-cooked meals, and hometown restaurants, there will be many tempting food choices. Increasing your activity is the best way to enjoy them all without weight gain. And if you're like most people, maybe you haven't reached the Institute of Medicine's newly recommended exercise goal of 60 minutes per day.

Researchers at the University of Ulster have shown that there are cumulative benefits of exercise that can be achieved by participating in several shorter bouts of exercise.

So try to be active throughout the day and use these ideas so you can eat more once-a-year favorites.

* Shop till you drop, making laps around the mall. The more you buy and carry, the better your workout will be

* Take the stairs instead of the elevator, consider walking up and down a few times even if you have no reason to.

* Help your family put up (and then take down) holiday decorations.

* Clean the house for holiday guests.

* Do sit-ups during commercials while watching TV.

* Rake leaves or shovel snow.

* Join a gym for the month you're at home.

* Exercise an extra ten minutes the day of a holiday party or gathering.

* Take a walk outside in your neighborhood to breathe fresh air and look at holiday decorations.

* Go dancing with friends or get the party started by getting your friends to dance _ you'll have a blast and burn up calories.

Ease Into These Eating Tips This Holiday Season

Remember, exercise is one reason you don't have to skip the traditional foods you like to eat over the holidays. But balancing what and how much you eat can also help maintain your weight over winter break when you're not in sync with your usual healthful routine. These ideas may help you to streamline your indulgences, just a little.

* Enjoy home-cooked meals and favorite hometown restaurants. Eat the holiday treats you want, but remember you can have potatoes and bread any day.

* Get involved in the preparation of food. Help the main "chef" in your home lower the fat and calories in your favorite food traditions by using less butter or margarine (on bread, vegetables, etc.) or cutting out some the sugar in your home-baked desserts.

* When at a party, allow yourself to have some of your favorite treats _ maybe you like baked Brie or pigs-in-a-blanket. Try to then balance your plate with some veggies and other lower calorie options.

* Don't go to a party starving _ you're more likely to overeat. You can curb your appetite by eating a small snack, maybe a yogurt or a stick of string cheese, before leaving your house.

* If you drink alcohol, go easy on it, as it can pack on calories and pounds and may cause cravings or make you more likely to overeat in social situations. You can try alternating decadent beverages such as alcohol, eggnog, and apple cider with water, seltzer or diet soda.

* When shopping, you can minimize impulse purchases in the food court by carrying small healthful snacks. An ounce of packaged peanuts, a granola bar, or a piece of fruit will store well in your pocket or purse and curb your hunger till your next meal.