|
| |
::FITNESS NEWS::
LE Newsletter - December 18, 2008
|
| |
Tweak of the Week: Avoid Holiday
Weight Gain
Source: By
Shawn McKee,
Staff Writer
(December 04, 2008) Most research suggests that the average
American will gain 1-2
pounds over the holiday season.
The stress, sweets and
inclement weather can lead to overeating and under exercising.
It's a recipe for disaster.
"One or 2 pounds may not seem that bad, but the problem is that
many people don't ever lose their holiday weight gain. Over a
period of five years, that could be an extra 5-10 pounds you're
carrying," says Registered Dietitian Nicole Bengtson, LD/N.
To prevent the dreaded winter weight gain, follow these tips to
stay slim over the holiday
season. Not only will you keep the extra weight off, but you can
get a head start over all of those people waiting until Jan. 1
to start getting healthy.
1. Don't just watch what you eat,
write it down.
Write down every item that you drink and eat; every spoonful of
frosting, broken brownie, taste of chip dip and handful of chips
all need to be recorded. Just the act of tracking your intake
has been shown to help keep people on track. And don't forget to
record your beverages – every cup of eggnog or glass of wine has
calories, too!
2. Make a list and check it twice. Put a list of non-food
treats on your refrigerator door. It could include massages,
long bubble baths, walks in the park with a friend, renting a
good movie, browsing in the book store, window-shopping with a
friend, having a manicure or whatever else you enjoy that is not
food. During the holidays, we often feel that we deserve a
treat, but it doesn't have to be food. You can have the
occasional
holiday food treat, but
keep it to a minimum if it's loaded with sugar and calories.
3. Don't change your style. If you've been doing well
sticking to your
weight-loss routine --
small meals, whole foods and exercise -- don't get out of those
good habits. Carry healthy snacks with you to work and on your
shopping trips. You may not get to the gym four times a week,
but at least you can squeeze in two days and a walk. Do what you
can and you'll reap the rewards as everyone else struggles to
get back into their routine come New Year's.
4. Set realistic goals during the holidays. Don’t expect
to lose 10 pounds over the holidays. Instead, aim to maintain
your weight through the holidays. Pick what you eat wisely so
you can enjoy every bite. And remember: Don't go back for
seconds.
The key to controlling your weight for the rest of your life is
to make small, permanent lifestyle changes that are easy to
continue. Let's minimize the damage this holiday season and be
ready for our New Year's resolutions come January. |
|
| |
|
::LANGFIELD
ENTERTAINMENT:: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS WITH A CANADIAN TWIST::
