'Tis the Season

How much weight do you gain during the holidays? You may think that you gain 5 or more pounds, but the average American actually only gains one pound. Before you pat yourself on the back, listen to this: Even though we only gain one pound, we don't tend to lose that pound once January rolls around (or even for the rest of the year). So the one pound that you gain turns into 10 pounds over the span of 10 years. And that is just holiday weight, not other weight you may gain from vacations or other times of the year.

Here are some tips to avoid gaining that ONE pound:
Increase your burn. If you are going to eat more, you need to move more. I know time is tight, but stress is high. Use exercise as a way to relieve stress. Even if you just get a 10 minute interval of time to exercise, it is better than none!
Master the buffet. Holiday parties are often set up buffet-style. Do not stand next to the buffet because you will just be tempted to eat more. Survey the buffet before you get your plate so you can decide which foods to put on your plate.
Weigh yourself regularly. Weigh yourself at least weekly so you can assess if you are gaining weight or not.
Get plenty of sleep. I know it is hard to think about getting everything done on your list, but you will be less productive and spin in circles if you are not properly rested.

This was just a few tips to get you started. Check back tomorrow for some more "prevent the holiday gain" advice.

Photo courtesy of Justin Russell

Labels: holiday, Tara Gidus, weight gain

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