Have you been pondering the ways to avoid weight gain this holiday season? According to the British Nutrition Foundation, people gain between three and seven extra pounds between the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. This may not sound like a large number but research demonstrates that once gained, this excess winter weight in more cases than not tends to become permanent. But you can stop this winter weight gain and even lose weight by following my efficient and effective tips. Here are the ways to avoid weight gain:
Utilizing a food diary is one of the best ways to avoid holiday weight gain and it will help you lose weight too. By writing down your food intake, you will be more accountable and will be more likely to focus on healthy eating. If you are more likely to be on your wireless device than found holding a pen, why not use a free online food diary service such as fitday.com?
Tired of working out on the treadmill? Then get outdoors and use winter as a season to explore a few of the endless workout possibilities. Try snowboarding, snow tubing, skiing, cross country skiing and ice-skating! Use winter as a time to get in better shape and enjoy the season. Make the snow part of your workout rather than hiding indoors!
Did you know? If you substitute your daily latte or hot chocolate for a cup of instant coffee or tea, you can save between 150 and 500 calories a day. Over the three-month winter period of pre and post holiday time, that’s a savings of up to 21,000 calories - equivalent to 6 pounds of body fat!
Having your centrally heated home at a higher temperature can lead to dehydration. Research shows that thirst is often confused with hunger, so being dehydrated could actually cause you to eat more too. To avoid that happening drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day.
According to a recent Penn University study, “Eating a small bowl soup before your main meal can save up to 700 calories a week.” Subjects who ate soup before lunch consumed 100 fewer calories at that meal.
According to a Case Western Reserve University study, women who sleep for five or fewer hours a night are 32 percent more likely to gain weight and 15 percent more likely to become obese than women who sleep for seven or more hours. It is believed that lack of sleep may slow metabolism or decrease the calories burned by spontaneous activities such as fidgeting. What better reason could there be to get some extra shut eye this winter?
Focus on making different salads and enjoy the flavors. Limit or avoid salad dressing to save on calories. To add some extra flavor, add strawberries, pears or oranges to your salad. By focusing on eating more salad, you will save your waistline and better your health.
I hope my tips will help you avoid holiday weight gain and have a blessed holiday season. Wishing you good health and cheer for a happy new year! Are you ready to make healthy changes this holiday season?