How much weight do most people gain during the holidays? Many people believe they gain about five pounds.
Researchers say the amount of weight the average American gains between Thanksgiving and the New Year is only 1 pound.
One pound doesn’t sound like much. The problem is most people don’t lose that one little pound following the holiday festivities. And after a few years, the extra weight adds up. When you gain extra weight as an adult, it increases your risk of major health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The best thing to do, is try to avoid gaining that one pound.
It is important to enjoy life but part of your responsibility is maintaining good health so you can help prevent disease. Here are my prescriptions:
Partha’s RX
1. Enjoy your favorite dessert, otherwise you’ll feel cheated
Remember you can eat pies and sweets any time of the year - you don’t need to eat mass quantities now.
2. Try mindful eating
This means you eat with intention and attention. Tune in to your body to see if you’re really hungry or if you’re mindlessly snacking.
3. Stick to a well-balanced diet and focus on real foods
Avoid anything processed as these foods often has a lot of added salt, sugar and fat.
4. Make sure to manage your stress
Many people lose control and binge when they’re stressed. Try learning yoga, mediation or simply breathing exercises.
Exercise can help offset some of the blood sugar spikes that goes hand-in-hand with overeating. But, it’s not going to help much if you eat a ton of calories and only exercise a little. So be a health hero and make exercise a part of your daily routine.
