You know liquid diets can help you take off pounds, but that’s not the case when you’re knocking back eggnog and winter ales at holiday parties and festive get-togethers. Consider this: the average partygoer guzzles nearly 4,000 calories in liquids during the holiday season, according to a Cancer Research UK poll.
A glass of hot-spiced wine here and a seasonal six-pack there add up. Just how much? That 4,000 calories is equivalent to approximately 30 glasses of wine and 22 pints of beer, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Reminder: this is just alcohol. Four thousand calories, and we haven’t even taken into account pigs in a blanket or frosted sugar cookie snowmen (that you don’t want to resemble by the time January rolls around).
Here are a few tips to have in tow before you go into the minefield of temptations present at any holiday party. And if you do cave, we've got ways to do some serious damage control.
GREAT-TASTING CRAFT BEERS THAT WON'T WRECK YOUR BODY
You're welcome.
HEALTHY SNACK ALTERNATIVES FOR EVERY CRAVING
The fool-proof way to stay away from the onion dip and cannolis if you simply couldn't resist the booze. (We don't blame you).
HOW NOT TO OVEREAT THIS HOLIDAY
There is such a thing as self control over the holidays. This. Is. Your. Year.
When you go to the bar, or the party table full of fizzy punch and the creamy allure of eggnog, remember that you can drink like an athlete. That’s right, approach the bar like you’d approach a weighted bar: with dogged determination.
I mean, if you're going to consume 4,000, might as well burn 5,000, right?
THE 22-MINUTE HOLIDAY-TIME WORKOUT
A fast, effective, no funny business workout.
If all else fails, know that red wine can reverse the benefits of exercise because of an ingredient called 'resveratrol'—perhaps the only thing that will get you to put the wine glass down. Or at least scare you enough to limit your consumption.