Holiday weight gain is a common concern as festive seasons often come with an abundance of delicious, calorie-rich foods and a shift in routines. The combination of tempting treats, social gatherings, and a festive atmosphere can lead to overindulgence, contributing to an increase in body weight.
What Causes Weight Gain during Holidays?
Factors such as frequent parties, larger portion sizes, and the availability of sweets can make it challenging to stick to healthy eating habits during the holidays. Moreover, decreased physical activity and disrupted exercise routines can further contribute to the potential for weight gain. It’s important for individuals to be mindful of their choices, practice moderation, and find a balance between enjoying holiday treats and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to mitigate the risk of unwanted weight gain during these celebratory periods.
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Here are some simple but effective ways to stay in shape during the holidays:
- Stay active. To compensate for the extra consumption of calories, engage in activities that will burn more calories. Stay active on all days of the week. Try simple but effective exercises like walking at the beginning of the day and after dinner. These activities can help burn more calories in the cold weather.
- Make small changes in your meals to make up for the extra calories you’re likely to end up consuming at a party. For example, if lunch is a sandwich and soup, skip the soup, or have half portions of each. If you usually include nuts and feta cheese in a meal, leave them out.
- Avoid arriving hungry at a family dinner or eat-out. Make sure you don’t skip meals during the day. This will make you ravenous and you will overeat at the party.
- Eat slowly and chew your food. Conscious eating will satisfy your hunger with less amount of food. This can also discourage mindless snacking.
- To prevent overeating, drink lots of water. This will keep your body hydrated and prevent you from eating more than what’s good for you.
- Keep track of what you eat. When you keep a mental log of what and how much you eat every day, it will help you moderate consumption.
According to the National Institute of Health, the average American gains less than one pound between Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, most people never lose that one pound and year after year, that weight can add up. Being conscious about these matters and taking a few precautions can help you stay in shape as you enjoy your time with family and friends.
