Written by
on Wednesday, 20 December 2017.
Tagged: guides, health, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, nutrition
As an American, I was fortunate to spend two Christmas holidays with Australian friends many years ago. My friends shared their childhood memories of finding surf boards or fishing rods under the Christmas tree, and how they couldn’t wait to spend Christmas Day on the beach playing with their gifts and enjoying a barbecue with family.
Holidays are special times where families and friends get together over food... sometimes, too much food. While there are many unfounded stories of massive weight gains from Christmas to New Year, the truth is we don’t tend to gain more than a 0.5 kilogram over the holidays, but, and here is the kicker, we don’t lose it in January when the holidays are over! Half a kilo may not sound like much, but fast forward 20 years and 10 extra kilos could be the result.
Researchers also found that those who were already overweight tended to gain more weight than those who were at a healthy weight.
For starters, self-monitoring appears to prevent holiday weight gain. Weighing yourself every day during the festive season can keep you aware of your weight.
You can also use apps on your phone to log exercise and food; journaling helps you to be more mindful of the calories you eat and those you use up.
Here are seven of my favourite tips to keep your six-pack from becoming a 2-litre bottle or letting small love handles become muffin tops:
Chris Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist in Atlanta, Georgia and a Professor Emerita at Georgia State University where she taught nutrition for 30 years and now provides nutrition consulting services to food companies, health organizations, and food marketing firms. Her book, Food & Fitness After 50, with co-author, Dr. Bob Murray, is now available. Follow her blog, Fit to Eat, for inspiring stories of adults who eat well, move well, and be well over the age of 50.
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