Friday, October 30, 2009

Preventing the Winter Holiday Pounds



My first article talked about students gaining the freshman 15 in the first two months of school. Now, if you've passed that test, the next step of the challenge of the year awaits: November-February, when many people in general gain weight from the winter season! The weather becomes cold and many people do not want to exercise outside--and the biggest challenge of all: Grandma's holiday cookies and family gatherings! Don't wait until resolutions come around January 1st, start now and take the steps of prevention to maintain a reasonable weight..

A student article from the UCLA website gives a very insightful Top 10 list on how to survive the holiday season. In short, they discuss that you shouldn't try to lose weight during these months rather just focus on maintaining the weight. It says that you should be physically active in between gatherings, avoid eating just because you are in a social setting, go in with a plan, and really focus on the social aspect rather than just being at the party and eating.

http://www.snac.ucla.edu/pages/Resources/Handouts/HO.Holiday%20eating.htm

Personally, I think as long as you are sensible about what you are eating and exercise on a regular basis, I don't see the holidays as a huge problem. Eating in moderation makes it less difficult to get through the holiday season because it actually does fill you up. Oh, and maybe propose doing some fun physical activity instead of just sitting around at these parties--maybe challenge your cousins to WiFit or play activity charades with your friends on New Years!

4 comments:

  1. I definately agree with you as far as watching what you eat and working out daily. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year and I love eating all the different foods. I think people should definately watch what they eat if they plan on worrying about that issue come new years and especially if they aren't even exercising.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aside from music, baking is my favorite hobby...and the holidays is the best time for it. I think you presented some really good tips, but I definately will be trying a little bit of everything at holiday parties- it's part of the fun. (I have a home gym though so working out in the winter isnt a problem.)
    Research has led to a theory that one of the reasons Americans are so unhealthy is that we focus too much on the negative effects of food and on counting calories, etc...if we just ate smaller balanced portions, ate slowly, and ate only when we were hungry, we would be much healthier. People in other countries eat this way and tend to be healthier; they also view food in a positive light esp during celebrations.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with this blog. I feel that if people watch what they are eating and either exercise or walk afterwords, the pounds should kept down. The people who take naps after meals are the most vulnerable.
    On the other hand, if you are trying to gain weight and bulk up, eat away and work out. Happy Holidays...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I definitely agree with what you are saying. After we eat meals on thanksgiving our family usually goes outside. My cousins and I always take our younger siblings and pets for walks. It's a good thing that we all bring our dogs, because they always want to go outside, so even in the snow, we are usually out there, if only for alittle bit getting exercise!
    For us college kids going home, gyms usually have deals for the holidays to join, so I always do that as well!

    ReplyDelete