On average Americans gain about one or two pounds during the year-end holiday season. Not so much, you might think, but statistics show this extra weight is almost never lost. So like the proverbial drops of water that fill up the ocean and the grains of sand that make up the desert, those extra pounds add up and before you know it, obesity is staring you in the face.
In fact, 75% of all weight gain tends to occur during the holiday season. This could be good news because if you have a strategy in place to keep the weight off in the holidays, maintaining your weight for the rest of the year should be a breeze. Here are five tips for healthy holiday eating:
- Monitor what you eat: Keep a journal and write down everything you eat including cookies from a co-worker or appetizers at the party. This way, even if you overeat, the written proof in your journal will be all the motivation you need to add a workout or two to get rid of those excess calories.
- Use your fitness tracker: Wear a fitness tracker to help you keep an eye on your activity throughout the day. By tracking your steps, you can make sure you’re staying active to help burn off those calories.
- Host the party: The great thing about being the host is you can control the food that is served. Start with soups and salads. Instead of calorie-laden cocktails and white rolls opt for wine and whole wheat rolls. Apply this focus on your party appetizers as well. If you are invited to a party where you may not have any healthy options, take a salad side dish along or have a healthy snack before you go, and wear form fitting clothes to the party. There is nothing like a pair of tight pants to protect you from overindulgence.
- Sign up for a fitness event or competition: Most gyms offer some sort of fitness competition during the holidays that you can join or you could sign up for a local fitness event. These activities will help you reach your goals and have fun while doing it.
- Get accountability: Link up with a friend or family member with similar health goals. Look upon this person as someone to support and encourage you through the holidays.
It is a known fact that as you get older your body’s metabolism slows down making it very difficult to lose weight, so why put yourself in a difficult situation in the first place. Follow these tips to celebrate the holidays without compromising on your health.
Dr. Marc Zaré specializes in minimally invasive surgery and believes that modern surgery should be innovative, non-invasive, and patient-centered. His mission is to provide every patient compassionate surgical care based on sound scientific evidence. With more than 15 years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Zaré is considered to be a leader and one of the foremost experts of his field in Northern California. He is recognized for his surgical skills, clinical expertise, and superior outcomes.
