• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Annapolis Moms

Annapolis Moms

Making Our Community Stronger, One Connection At A Time

BUSY MOMS DON’T MISS A THING!

Which emails would you like to receive?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Community
    • Education
    • Food & Dining
    • Health & Beauty
    • Holiday
    • Home
    • Parenting
    • Retail
    • Sports
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Submit an Event
  • The Motherlode
    • Current Issue
    • April 2025
    • Winter Issue 2025
    • Fall Issue 2024
    • Summer Issue 2024
    • Spring Issue 2024
    • Winter Issue 2024
    • Thumbs Up & Plaques
    • Motherlode Subscriptions
  • About
    • Contact
  • Summer Camps
    • Summer Camp Directory
    • Summer Camp E-Guide
    • Add a Summer Camp
  • Coupons
  • BUSY MOMS DON’T MISS A THING!

    SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS

    Which emails would you like to receive?
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Health & Beauty, Holiday, Thanksgiving

Savor the Season: Tips for Making Healthy Choices during the Holidays

November 20, 2023 by Duffy Perkins
Healthy middle-aged woman smiling
Carleen Birnes, personal trainer extraordinaire gives some great tips to stay healthy(ish!) at holiday meals this season.
Photo by ALN Images.

The holidays are an excellent reason to eat, drink, and be merry. But often stress-disguised-as-holiday-cheer can lead us to gain uncomfortable weight. If you’re already trying to lose weight, the holidays can be especially challenging. 

We spoke with Carleen Birnes, personal trainer extraordinaire and owner of Howl Health and Yoga Barn in Severna Park, for some tips on how to make sure you enjoy your holidays while making some savvy swaps and .

First up: move your body in a smart way. Turkey Trots are great fun, but if you want to make the most of your time and your workout, consider a HIIT or sprint workout. As an added benefit, they’re much shorter workouts, too. “A ten-minute sprint or a 15-minute HIIT workout will have the same metabolic benefits as a 45-minute run,” says Birnes. But remember to really push yourself – it’s a quick burn.

Woman finishing a run race
You don’t have to run a marathon to burn off those holiday calories…consider a quick-but-effective HIIT workout.
Photo provided by Carleen Birnes.

Later, when you are back at the house, fuel your body thoughtfully. A typical Thanksgiving plate can contain between 3,000 and 4,500 calories, and if you snack ahead of time you can easily consume an extra 1,500 calories before even sitting down. 

So think before you enjoy the appetizer plate. One serving of cheese is one ounce, or roughly the size of two thumbs. For extra credit, put cheese on fruit or vegetables. “Think of high-glycemic foods like crescent rolls and breads like a condiment, and eat them in moderation,” says Birnes.

And about drinking: Birnes has some thoughts: “When you’re really interested in sticking to a healthy weight, alcohol destroys everything,” she says. “You can eat a plate of Brussels sprouts and lean white meat, but if you have two glasses of wine, your body will add calories that are devoid of any vitamins or sustenance. This completely throws off any weight loss goals.”

If you want a drink, consider a clear alcohol like vodka or tequila, and enjoy it without the extra sugar of a mixer. But stick with just one, because the more you drink, the more thumbs of cheese you may be inclined to eat. 

Healthy Thanksgiving healthy food display with people passing items around

When you do sit down at the table, stick with meat and veg. “Prioritize non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cruciferous vegetables, and leafy greens,” says Birnes. “Eat liberal amounts of proteins, too – protein’s a hard thing to overeat. If you focus on protein and vegetables, you’ll be in a good energy balance.” 

Possibly the best advice is that Thanksgiving is just one day, and you don’t need permission to enjoy the day and get back on track starting Friday. 

For more on Carleen Birnes and her services, visit Howl Health.


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on Annapolis Moms Media and its affiliates are those of the authors and/or experts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Annapolis Moms Media. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

The published article is available for informational purposes only and is not considered licensed professional advice on any subject matter. By viewing articles/blog posts, the reader understands there is no client relationship between the reader, the publisher, and its authors. The article/blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice from a licensed professional, and readers are urged to consult their own counsel on any specific questions concerning a specific situation.

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
FollowFollow us
Duffy Perkins
Author: Duffy Perkins

Related posts:

Managing Holiday Expectations: Tips to Avoid Stress and Focus on Joy this Holiday Season A woman sitting next to a Christmas Tree looking disconcertedWhen it’s Not the Most Wonderful Time: Navigating Loss During the Holidays Christmas Holiday Cranberry Mint Mocktail5 Tips To A Sober Season Overweight woman exercising with dumbbellsWhy Can’t I Lose Weight? Are Semaglutides the Answer?
Category: Health & Beauty, Holiday, ThanksgivingTag: eating, Food, healthy, Holiday, Thanksgiving See all posts by Duffy Perkins

About Duffy Perkins

Previous Post:3 supplements to skipSkincare-simplified: 3 Supplements to Skip
Next Post:Finding the Happiness Right Hereblonde woman blowing out candles on a makeshift birthday cake

Sidebar

Categories

• Arts & Entertainment
• Community
• Do Not Miss
• Education
• Food & Dining
• Health & Beauty
• Holiday
• Home
• Parenting
• Retail
• Sports
• Updates

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

The Latest from our Facebook Page

We’re shining a spotlight on one of our incredible community supporters A Team Family Law, LLC💙

Their experienced and compassionate team is here to help families navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions with care and clarity.

They offer support with:
🔹 Divorce
🔹 Marital Separation Agreements (MSAs)
🔹 Collaborative Divorce
🔹 Mediation
🔹 Custody, Child Support & Modifications
🔹 Protective Orders & Domestic Violence Cases
🔹 Adoption
🔹 Prenups & Postnups
🔹 Guardianships
🔹 Estate Planning & Litigation

If you or someone you know could use trusted legal guidance, visit their site to learn more:
https://loom.ly/r4vTYKk

#AnnapolisMoms #ATeamFamilyLaw #CommunitySupport #LegalSupport #FamilyLawHelp #SupportForFamilies #AnnapolisFamilies

We’re shining a spotlight on one of our incredible community supporters A Team Family Law, LLC💙

Their experienced and compassionate team is here to help families navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions with care and clarity.

They offer support with:
🔹 Divorce
🔹 Marital Separation Agreements (MSAs)
🔹 Collaborative Divorce
🔹 Mediation
🔹 Custody, Child Support & Modifications
🔹 Protective Orders & Domestic Violence Cases
🔹 Adoption
🔹 Prenups & Postnups
🔹 Guardianships
🔹 Estate Planning & Litigation

If you or someone you know could use trusted legal guidance, visit their site to learn more:
loom.ly/r4vTYKk

#AnnapolisMoms #ATeamFamilyLaw #CommunitySupport #LegalSupport #FamilyLawHelp #SupportForFamilies #AnnapolisFamilies
... See MoreSee Less

17 hours ago
View Comments
  • likes Like love 6
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

🎶 Have a music-loving kid at home? The Annapolis Symphony Academy is where young musicians thrive and we’re obsessed! 🎻✨

From inspiring private lessons to exciting ensemble experiences, ASA is helping students grow in confidence, creativity, and skill - all while making classical music feel fresh and fun. With amazing instructors and a welcoming vibe, it’s the perfect place to nurture your child’s talent and love for music.

If you’re looking for something that truly tunes in to your child’s potential… this is it. 💫

🎵 Learn more at https://tunedtoyouth.org

#AnnapolisMoms #AnnapolisSymphonyAcademy #TunedToYouth #RaisingMusicians #MusicEducationMatters #CreativeKids #AnnapolisFamilies #ClassicalWithHeart #ASAstrong

🎶 Have a music-loving kid at home? The Annapolis Symphony Academy is where young musicians thrive and we’re obsessed! 🎻✨

From inspiring private lessons to exciting ensemble experiences, ASA is helping students grow in confidence, creativity, and skill - all while making classical music feel fresh and fun. With amazing instructors and a welcoming vibe, it’s the perfect place to nurture your child’s talent and love for music.

If you’re looking for something that truly tunes in to your child’s potential… this is it. 💫

🎵 Learn more at tunedtoyouth.org

#AnnapolisMoms #AnnapolisSymphonyAcademy #TunedToYouth #RaisingMusicians #MusicEducationMatters #CreativeKids #AnnapolisFamilies #ClassicalWithHeart #ASAstrong
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
View Comments
  • likes Like love 2
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 1
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HELPFUL LINKS

  • Community Sponsorship
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer
  • EULA
  • Thumbs Up & Plaques

BUSY MOMS DON’T MISS A THING!

Which emails would you like to receive?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2025 · Annapolis Moms · All Rights Reserved · Powered by AE2 Creative

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!