Stay in shape this holiday season

Daniel Chase

Christmas season is a time to indulge. Eat. Be merry. Repeat.

To stay in shape is a big challenge but it can still be done, according to Dr. Daniel Chase, who is a former U.S. Marine and is currently Latte Built Gym’s director for fitness.

“The food we eat here generally is very healthy as long as it is wholesome food and not the processed foods and fast food. We have fish, meats, rice, and fresh vegetables. The problem really lies in taking it in abundance then the sedentary action afterwards,” he said.

“If you look at the diet here, it is actually really good minus all the processed stuff. Remove the processed stuff and get a little more active, drink more water and you will be amazed with the results that you get,” he added.

Chase understands the food cravings that the body feels and calls it “natural evolution.”

“Through sight and smell, your body recognizes certain elements that are enriched and these elements make your body crave,” he said.

‘Satisfy your craving, do not indulge in it’

“Eat and drink in moderation. Instead of eating the whole pie, eat half of a slice. When at a bakery, don’t buy the whole cake, buy a slice of the cake and take one or two bites then put it in a to-go bag. Eat it for the next two or three days, which is more sensible and that’s why I say, it is not necessarily the food but the abundance of it,” he added.

Little trick

Before you go to a buffet or a gathering where there will be lots of food, drink three to four glasses of water.

“Your stomach is like a bucket and, if it is half full of water, how much food can you put in there? The water also helps digest.

“As for what you put in your plate, get no more than one scoop per item and no more than three or four items in one plate,” Chase said.

For alcoholic drinks, he recommends having a serving of alcohol and then drinking one glass of water.

Chase said this is a must for digestion and rehydration “because alcohol will actually dehydrate you and then your body doesn’t process the food properly and stores more of it as fat. The faster you get alcohol out of your system, the faster your body will break down food. How to take alcohol out of your system? Time and hydration.”

‘The sedentary life…’

“The average American cannot complete a one mile run, 24 situps, 10 pushups, and one pull up. Do you want to be average? …What I tell a lot of clients in the United States is to go adopt a dog, especially if they are single, because that’s going to get you out of the house and be active,” Chase said.

“If you are going to be with family this Christmas, there is no excuse for not being active. Families that play together stay together. Plan family trips, outings, events, do an activity—soccer, rugby volleyball as a sport,” Chase added.