Around the holidays you might feel as though you’ve put on 10 pounds, but research indicates that the average American gains about one pound between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Unfortunately, this data from the New England Journal of Medicine, is nearly a decade old and sure to be outdated by now.
In more recent studies, the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research suggests that heavier individuals are more likely to gain weight during the holiday season than their thinner friends. It makes sense, because this stems from already unhealthy habits going into overdrive. In many cases, overweight individuals demonstrate less willpower around food and can suffer from disordered eating. This behavior can become magnified during the holidays when cold weather, stress, and an abundance of comfort food take center stage. Fortunately, there are ways that you can avoid gaining weight around the holidays:
- Never arrive to holiday events hungry. Eat a nutritious snack and drink some water ahead of time to fill you up.
- Divert your attention. Do not make food the focus of holiday events. Enjoy time with your family playing games or even going for a group walk.
- Choose a small plate. Put a few items on your plate and take your time eating. You may not need to go back for a second helping.
- Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol can impair you from making smart choices about what you eat, and will also pack on extra pounds and empty calories.
- Sign up for a holiday fun run with friends or family. This can be a great way to accomplish a fitness goal and spend more time with your loved ones.
Prepare yourself ahead of time for holiday events this year. If you feel like you have no self-control this holiday season, or feel yourself putting on some extra weight, come visit Dr. Jerod to learn more about what you can do toimprove your habits.
Happy holidays!
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