Have you ever heard of the “Seasonal 7 pound weight gain”?
This is the average amount of weight that people gain during the holiday season, typically from October 31st– January 1st.
Follow these 5 healthy tips to ward off the holiday weight gain.
Tune out others– You do not have to be rude, just a little assertive. Don’t let others influence you to make poor eating decisions. Seasonal treats are going to be everywhere, and everyone wants to indulge. Don’t give into peer pressure or that little voice that says, “It’s the holidays, it’s okay to gain a little weight, I’ll work it off come January.” Maintain your weight by staying consistent with your nutrition and enjoying your favorite treats in moderation.
Get a workout daily – It is easy to skip workouts with all of the school & office parties, shopping trips and cooking that you are committed to. Make a conscious effort to stay consistent with your exercise. Even if you do eat a little junk at least your metabolic rate will be increased by the exercise. Try to exercise before work if possible, this way it will be done and you can focus on your other obligations in the afternoons and evenings. Walk briskly around the mall before you start your shopping. Typically malls are ½-1 mile around, doing a couple of laps without stopping can count as low intensity cardio.
Drink plenty of water- Water is your body’s main nutrient. It naturally suppresses your appetite and transports necessary nutrients to your cells. If you are not drinking at least ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day, you are not adequately hydrated. This could lead to poor energy, weight gain, and headaches. Avoid artificially sweetened water, if you want to add some flavor, try fresh lemon, lime, strawberries, or oranges. If you decide to have alcoholic beverages at a holiday party, opt for wine or light beer instead of sugary mixed drinks and alternate the alcoholic beverage with a glass of water.
Fill up on veggies and lean protein– At parties focus on consuming protein and veggies and just a small amount of starches/carbohydrates. This will keep your blood sugars stable and you will not overeat as much.
Figure out any way you can to lower your stress. The holidays are a great time to get together and celebrate with family and friends, but it can also lead to extra stress, possibly due to travel, financial or relationship issues. Incorporate daily stress relief through exercise, meditation, and avoid waiting till the last minute to get things done, this can lead to anxiety and emotional eating.
This is a preview to an article which will be featured in Leaf Lifestyle.
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