It’s that time of the year again… the holiday season. Perhaps nothing is more challenging than getting through Pesach with your health and weight intact. As daunting and challenging as this may seem, a few little tricks and just a little self-discipline can get you through virtually unscathed.

There are essentially three areas where we all tend to get into trouble: one – the amounts of food we consume sitting at our tables for our festive meals; two – the types of foods we eat; and three – the general lack of activity and exercise during Pesach.

Let’s first look at the portion control issue. There is a mitzvah to eat certain foods during the Chagim, such as matzah. There is no mitzvah, however, to consume mass quantities of anything. In order to keep a handle on the over-eating problem, try this. Take a reasonable portion on your plate, and if you are truly still hungry after you eat what’s on your plate, take seconds of a cooked or raw vegetable or fruit. (If you are permitted to eat legumes, take a brown rice dish). Remember that drinking water may also make you feel full. So, drink up before you start your meal. And for all you matzah lovers out there… Remember that although we are commanded to eat matzah on Pesach, we are not commanded to eat mass quantities of it for the entire length of the chag!

As for the kinds of food we eat… Everyone can make some subtle but significant adjustments in this area as well. Even though meat and chicken dishes are more popular at this time of year, you can trim the fat from your meat and order lean cuts to begin with. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey, preferably before cooking, and keep in mind that the white meat is much leaner than the dark meat. Also, keep the emphasis on vegetables and try to use whole grain matzah. For dessert, go for fresh fruit salads, melons and sorbets instead of cake and cookies, which are loaded with sugar and fat. Also, keep in mind that most pareve ice creams contain chemicals and high-fat based whips.

Item number three… lack of activity… No! Don’t go out and do an exercise session during the Seder!  But, don’t sit around either.  Nice long, brisk walks, particularly after your meals, are a great idea.  There is nothing worse than throwing yourself into metabolic rigor mortis by falling asleep immediately after a meal.  When you are finished with the walk, stretch a little and then you can take your nap.

Acharei HaChagim…  How many times do we hear that phrase during the year?  If you want to plan something for after the Chagim now, set up an appointment for a lifestyle, health and fitness assessment.  Make an appointment now for after Pesach with a trainer at your local gym.  No more excuses!  Plan now so that after Pesach, you are committed and ready to take on a program that can change your health and change your life!

This is a time of year in which to be joyful and happy, and to celebrate together with our families.  We need not create more stress in our lives than we already have.  So, instead of saying “after Pesach”, resolve to get started with good and healthful habits right now.  Watching serving sizes, eating healthful choices, and staying as active as possible over the Pesach holiday are all ways to “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”

ALAN FREISHTAT is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a LIFESTYLE FITNESS COACH with over 12 years of professional experience. He is the Co-Director of the Jerusalem-based weight loss and stress management center Lose It! along with Linda Holtz M.Sc. and is available for private consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also visit the Lose It Website at www.loseit.co.il

*American Council on Exercise

(Alan Freishtat – YWN)