Holiday time means breaking bread with loved ones and enjoying sweet gifts from well-meaning neighbors and co-workers. But those indulgences can add up. In fact, American adults will gain an average of one pound during the holiday season.
One pound might not seem like much, but over the years those pounds add up, creating a new baseline weight. This extra girth can take its toll on personal health and contribute to conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Make a nutrition plan
Telling yourself that you’ll deal with the extra weight after the new year is often ineffective. Instead, avoid putting the weight on in the first place by:
Find motivation for movement
With many extra obligations during the holidays, exercise often takes a back seat. But physical activity not only combats weight gain, it helps elevate mood and reduce holiday stress. Prioritize movement by:
Focus on prevention
Most people will make — and quickly break — their resolutions for diet and exercise. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll overcome your holiday indulgences after the New Year. Instead, focus on making small, achievable goals aimed at preventing weight gain altogether.
You can learn more about nutrition dos and don’ts, including 17 Diet Myths, from the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.
Tags: diet, diet myths, exercise, healthy eating, Healthy Living, holiday weight gain, nutrition, nutrition plan, physical activity, Wellness