Weight gain has become an inevitable part of the holiday season, and we’ve become accustomed to loosening the top button on our pants from Halloween until New Year’s Day. Oftentimes we have good intentions when we kick off the celebratory time of year and we set strict guidelines for ourselves, hoping to stay on track this season and avoid that extra weight gain. But, let’s face it…it’s hard when your social calendar is upped due to the many festivities that contain a barrage of mouth-watering treats.
If you are like most people, and are hoping to avoid holiday weight gain, then there are a few rules you should follow in order to prevent those added pounds.
One of the biggest challenges that we face around this time of year is the impending colder weather. As the lower temperatures start to arrive, so does our desire to stay snuggled up on the couch inside our homes. This leads to a lack of exercise, but it doesn’t have to be this way. While you are visiting with family members, take a few moments to get bundled up and go for outside for a walk or a hike. Believe it or not, you burn more calories when you move in the colder weather because your body has to work harder to stay warm.
Portion control is another way to ward off pesky pounds. While it’s easy to pile your plate with the annual goodies, instead, try to think before your serve yourself. An easy way to prevent yourself from over-indulging, is to use a smaller plate for your snacks. And make it a point to drink a full glass of water before you sit down for a meal or a snacking session. This fills you up much faster and it has the added bonus of getting in the extra water, which will help, offset the extra salty foods that lead to dehydration and swelling.
One of perks of this time of year is the added love that people like to spread. It’s pretty much a given that gifts will show up from those in your life, from your neighbors to your co-workers. The only downfall is that these gifts usually come in the form of sugary selections, which can be a major temptation. If you don’t feel like you have the self-control to not pop a chocolate in your mouth every time you walk by the box on the counter, put them out of sight. As they say…out of sight, out of mind. Stash them away in the pantry and hopefully you will forget about them while you are going about your daily chores, because grazing on high calorie treats can lead to some major weight gain in the long run.
On average, a person gains one pound from mid-November to mid-January, which contributes to their annual weight gain. Try to avoid it for all holiday seasons going forward, and put these good tips to use.
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