Mild Exercise May Help You Avoid Holiday Fat Gain

According to recent studies, avoiding holiday weight gain is an important lesson that we all need to learn. If not, we will likely have a price to pay later on. The problem with weight gain during the winter holidays is that most of the people surveyed never make a commitment to losing it. Even though you take pride in your willpower, the winter holiday season holds unique challenges for everyone. Staying on track with your weight loss or weight control program can seem daunting but, for most people, it is equally as challenging to not feel deprived, which can make life more difficult. The weight gain news is not good for men and women who are already over weight. In fact, obese individuals tend to put on up to five times more weight over the winter holidays than the average adult. Nonetheless, focus on one day at time and enjoy your Holidays.

• HOLIDAY EXERCISE - Exercise is one of the best ways to burn fat, lose weight, improve your appearance and maintain critical muscle mass while shedding pounds. Mild weight-lifting holiday exercises are among the best ways to deplete fat stores and boost metabolism.
• LEARN HOW TO USE WILLPOWER - Chewing slowly and thoroughly are exercises in willpower that will allow you to recognize when your body feels full. It can also help to relax before you start eating by taking a few deep breaths to minimize distractions.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - Holiday parties and potluck dinners are common during the holidays but these celebrations can be enjoyed without wreaking havoc on your diet. Since there is a natural tendency to eat more as you sample dishes, make it harder to overeat by using a smaller plate.
• CONCENTRATE ON YOUR MEAL - Break away from the conversation as you approach the food table to give yourself a moment to survey your food options. Skip anything you don't care for or that you can have any day of the week. That way you should have room to enjoy those seasonal food options that you truly crave. But, don't overindulge.
• DRINK MORE WATER - The good news is that staying hydrated during the winter season can help curb holiday food cravings. After all, modern man has a hard time distinguishing between hunger and thirst. So, starting every festive function by drinking a glass of water will put you in charge.
• INTERMITTENT FASTING WORKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Since they did not have convenient stores and refrigeration, it is a sound argument that our ancestors went longer without eating than we do. Today, eating during set windows seems to make fat deposits more accessible to burn for fuel.

While you cannot control every situation you encounter during the holidays, you can control how much food goes into your mouth. If you are bombarded at holiday events, allow yourself one small serving of seasonal treats each day. But, stand firm in your post-holiday commitment to quickly loose what you gained. To keep the winter holidays from having a big impact on your long-term health, create an eating plan and stick closely to your holiday strategies. You can enjoy all the people, sights and sounds without overindulging in seasonal treats. When your routine is broken, it is difficult to get back on track. So, plan for the kids being out of school and family members visiting from out of town. Once you identify possible triggers, devising strategies to overcome them is a much easier task.

A strategic eating plan for the winter holidays helps to ensure you eat healthy and the holiday foods you consume are nourishing, hydrating and satiating. For tempting holiday treats, visit our vast collection of weight-friendly recipes at Metabolic Research Center online.