Staying healthy during the holidays may sound daunting at first. Visions of holiday feasts and irresistible holiday fare may be dancing through your head. Facing the bounty of food that often comes with the holiday season may make you worry that you’ll pack on pounds between now and the New Year.

Don’t worry, be prepared. Holiday cheer should not mean holiday fear. With a little planning, you can balance your calories and still enjoy all your holiday favorites.

1. Don’t skip meals. To eat more at a party, many of us starve ourselves during the day. Holiday party food should not be a meal, so plan to eat your regular meals. This includes starting every day with breakfast. Breakfast is an important part of any healthy eating plan and is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the fuel you need for the day. By sticking with your regular meals, you’re less likely to feel starved and will eat less at holiday parties and other social gatherings.

2. If you’re planning marathon shopping hours, you’ll want to have healthy snacks in your purse or car. Bring trail mix, carrots and raisins along with plenty of bottled water so that you don’t have to stop for a ravenous lunch at a fast food outlet. If you are diabetic, you certainly want to keep your blood sugars within normal limits so eating regularly is especially important for you.

3. If you’re the host, prepare low fat and low calorie recipes for foods like macaroni and cheese, green been casserole and pumpkin pie. Remember alcoholic beverages contain calories as well, so limit to 1 or 2 an evening. Baste meats with low fat broth, or defatted meat drippings. Use egg substitutes in place of eggs.

4. We tend to overeat at parties because food is plentiful and it’s a social thing. Commit to eating only one plate of food, making sure to balance your choices without piling on or stacking food on your plate. Choose vegetables and small portions of hors d’oeuvres. Take very small portions of dessert. Eat your food slowly, savoring the flavor and texture. Remember, holiday celebrations are about connecting with others, so stay away from the table once you’ve enjoyed your meal.

5. Track what you’re eating during the holidays by keeping a food journal. A food journal is a powerful tool for holding yourself accountable. If you’re trying to lose weight, keeping a food journal can double your weight loss.

6. Finally, don’t let your exercise program take a holiday. Staying active can reduce the chances that you’ll put on those unwanted, extra holiday pounds. Plus exercise is a great way to manage stress.

Frances Tyus is a Registered Dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital Systems in Cleveland, Ohio. She has published articles on many topics and is a seasoned speaker/presenter.

image: kanko

Michelle Obama, the wife of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, has a career of her own. A Harvard law school graduate and vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center, Michelle plans to remain “mom-in-chief” to her two daughters should the family make it to the White House.

Often referred to as “the closer”—Michelle, 44, has a way of connecting with audiences that can turn skeptics into believers. But how does she squeeze in a workout or quiet time between campaigning? Well, that’s the question many have been asking. Every woman needs time for herself and her health, so I culled the web for Michelle Obama’s answers on how she stays healthy, finds balance and stays grounded amidst the whirlwind campaign season.

On Her Personal Health Philosophy
“I talk a lot on the campaign trail about the importance of mental, physical and spiritual health. We as women have a lot on our plates - we’re always juggling. Every woman I know, regardless of race, education, income, background, is struggling every day to keep her head above water. We’ve been told we can have it all, but lose ourselves in the process. We need to put ourselves higher on our own to do lists. I know that’s hard for so many, so we also need to ensure we give women and families the resources they need to not only survive, but thrive.” WebMD, February 2008

On Setting Priorities
“My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief,” Michelle Obama said in the September edition of Ebony magazine, hitting the newsstands on August 12. “Making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls… that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe.” In the interview, Michelle talks about work-life balance, being married to Barack Obama, her workout routine, and the fashion sense that landed her on the top of Vanity Fair’s best-dressed list.

On Working Out
Momlogic asked Michelle Obama about her toned arms and workout routine. “I go to the gym three times a week — as often as I can, really. I work with a fabulous trainer for about an hour each session. We do a lot of cardio and weight training. For me, exercise is more than just physical — it’s therapeutic.”

On Finding Help and Support
Speaking to a group of Women for Obama in Chicago, Michelle Obama spoke about the demands of motherhood. “I joke about our challenges. But Barack and I know that we are lucky. We are some of the lucky ones because we have resources and support to help us get through. And I am particularly lucky because I have my mom. This is the woman who keeps me grounded, who stays at home with my girls and make sure that they’re okay.”

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On Relaxing and Having Fun
“We have just some of the most wonderful times when we visit Barack’s grandmother in Hawaii. Those are always wonderful times, warm weather, a time to be together and laugh, when everybody’s relaxed, no schedules, no nothing, just a lot of good fun together,” she said in a February U.S. News and World Reports interview.

On Black Women’s Health
In a July interview with the St. Louis American, Michelle Obama touched on black women’s increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. “Usually, we as black women deal with our issues when they are at a crisis point. So we need to move beyond that way of thinking about our health. But you can’t do it, if you don’t have access to health care.”

image: Getty Images

INC International Concepts® Woman Leather Vest, Tunic Shirt & Knit Legging from Macy’s

Adding a few pieces and changing your accessories and color choices are simple and affordable options for creating a fresh and updated look this fall.

Before you run out to the mall, inventory your wardrobe, you might be surprised to find that you have most of what you need already in your closet. This fall combines the look of comfort, luxury and a hint of 80’s flair—belts, big sweaters and leggings—offering something for every woman. Here are six of the top style trends for the season, culled from leading women’s style and fashion sources.  
 
1. Plaid It Down. It’s all about plaid this fall. Plaid is the featured pattern for many of this season’s hottest looks. If you’re afraid of plaid, no worry, it has been updated with a modern flair. You’ll find it in muted tones and patterns or bold, look at me roar colors and designs. It is on everything from swingy skirts, wrap dresses suits, capes, evening wear, leggings and handbags. Style Tip: Pair a plaid skirt with a white collared shirt.

2. Dress it Up. Sweater dresses are timeless fall pieces that are in vogue this season. They are comfortable, all-in-one outfits that work well both day and night. Style Tip: Have fun. Sport a long or short sweater dress with a big belt, leggings and pumps or with tall boots.  

3. Layer and Pump it Up. Turn up the volume with chunky knit sweaters, bubbly blouses and oversized pants. The key trend in fashion this fall is volume, says Tanika White of the Baltimore Sun. “It is what will separate fall 2006 — a season of richness and femininity — from 2004 and 2005, which were nothing if not rich and feminine,” she adds. The key to the layered look is to keep things in proportion. If you go big on top, keep it slim on the bottom or vice versa. Style Tip: Layer a tunic-length top with a shorter length jacket and fitted jeans or leggings.
 
4. Bag It. Keeping with the luxe theme of the season, big, oversized bags are in, especially satchels. The bags are available in bold colors, rich and exotic skins like ostrich or velvet and everyday materials like leather and vinyl. Style Tip: Choose leather in a classic color like black, brown or red.  

5. Go Hip to Waist.Belts are moving from the hips to the waist. They are appearing at the waist of everything from evening dresses to suits. Belts come in varying widths and adorned with metal and gold buckles, in patent leather and wrap styles. Style Tip:  A belt worn over a sweater or blouse is a classy and sophisticated way to show off your figure.
 

6. Red is Hot. If you haven’t figured it out, red is a favored Heart and Style color. It conveys power and is one of this season’s favored accent colors. The attention grabbing color offers a lively contrast to the subdued colors most associated with fall. Style Tip:  Work red in your wardrobe with accessories like a belt, scarf or handbag.
 

The 2006 show, Beat of Life: A Tribute to New Orleans Style, honored the strength and resilience of those affected by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The fashion show featured New Orleans-inspired ensembles from Baltimore and Washington, DC designers and boutiques. The show, hosted by Fox 5 News anchor Shawn Yancy,  featured the “beats of life” contributed by diverse ethnic populations to the New Orleans musical environment—a further tribute to the rich traditions of this area.

Gently used party and prom dresses were collected at the conference and donated to Prom Dress New Orleans, a community service initiative organized my Ms. DC Teenager to help girls in New Orleans who could not afford a prom dress.

Please visit and support our show’s designers:

Corjor International/DC Fashion Week - Designer: Ean Williams 

 Dr. Ro Gear - Designer: Dr. Rovenia “Ro” Brock  

Lettie Gooch Boutique - Owner: Theresa E. 

Saeyoung Vu Couture - Designer: Saeyoung Vu 

The Lady of the House, LLC - Designer: April Reddick 

The Voluptuous Woman Company - Owner: Jenene Biggins

“Elegance is good taste plus a dash of daring.” –Carmel Snow

“Style is primarily a matter of instinct.” — Bill Blass

“Fashion passes, style remains.” –Coco Chanel

“It would be very hard for me to do things somebody else’s way” Giorgio Armani

“I base my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” – Gilda Radner

“Fashion is made to become unfashionable.” –Coco Chanel

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” –Yves Saint Laurent

image source - Coco Chanel, Metropolitan Museum blog

Looking your best is an important part of your overall wellness, but it shouldn’t prevent you from staying fit. If you’re avoiding exercise because you don’t want to ruin your hairstyle, consider styling your hair in ways that suit your busy and active lifestyle. Try a natural hairstyle, short haircut, pin curls, braids, twists or dreadlocks. Wraps, ponytails and straight hairstyles can also be a lot easier to maintain than styles that require a curling iron or large amounts of hairspray or other chemicals that might damage your hair.

Ideally, you wouldn’t allow your hair to limit your activity choices, but it’s a real choice that many of us make. If your one of those sisters that has to have that “fresh from the beauty salon” look at all times, find solutions and activities that help you strike that balance between your health and beauty needs. Remember, hairpins are a tried and tested method for keeping hair in place. If you fear that humidity or being outside in the sun will get to your hair, join a gym, try a workout tape or other indoor activities. With patience, you’ll learn how to sync your hair care demands with your active lifestyle and stop letting them get in the way of your health.