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How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain



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Ask about the menu if you are planning to attend a holiday gathering. You can bring your own food, but you can also share healthy recipes. Holiday meals can be served buffet style so you might end up eating more than what you normally would. Serving yourself more can lead to extra calories, which adds up over time. Make sure you bring your own recipe or prepare healthy dishes ahead of time.

Obesity

Researchers are starting to pay more attention the holiday weight gain from obesity. The study was conducted in 1999 and measured the changes in bodyweight among 26 healthy volunteers. The subjects were followed by the researchers from December 18th to Dec 21st and then again around Jan 4th. The researchers found an average increase of 0.9 kilograms in body weight between the two groups. While these findings do not necessarily indicate an increase in obesity, they do indicate that holiday weight gain is a more likely cause of weight gain.


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Stress

Stress can cause holiday weight gain, as you've likely heard. The holiday season brings with it an abundance of responsibilities and a heightened level of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers weight gain. Holiday stress can increase your cravings for sugary and processed foods, making you eat more than usual. There are strategies that you can employ to avoid holiday stress if you cannot say no to obligations. A good strategy is to limit your holiday desserts and appetizers, and to eat healthy breakfasts and snacks the days before the big meal. If you must attend a dinner party you should wait 15 minutes before eating another serving. This will allow you to digest the meal.

Diet mentality

While you cannot avoid holiday temptations to overeat, it is possible to keep your holiday weight under control by having the right mindset. It's not necessary to eat all of the delicious treats you see. While holidays aren't free for everyone, you can still enjoy the foods you do eat and not feel guilty. It is important to not think about holiday weight gain and how it affects your health. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy yourself and lose weight without guilt.


Exercise

Exercising can help with holiday weight gain if you are planning on eating a large holiday dinner. Your exercise regimen can help you to burn thousands of calories as well as limit your fat gain. Exercise will help you to forget food and make you feel happier. You'll also have fun with your family while you burn calories. You'll be more likely to resist the temptation to eat the extra goodies that will be on your plate during the holidays.

Portion control

Holidays can often be a time of overeating. You might consider portion control to help with your weight management. It is possible to eat smaller meals and enjoy your holiday food more slowly and avoid overeating. So that you can enjoy every bite, it's recommended that you wait at least 10 to 20 minutes between each dish. Try to avoid skipping meals before holiday celebrations. A lighter dessert or appetizer can be brought to parties to share with your family and friends.


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Stress reduction

Chronic stress may have adverse effects on the body, and can contribute to holiday weight gain. Studies show that holiday weight gain is a result of chronic stress, which can also lead to weight gain throughout a year. Mary Teruel (assistant professor of chemical and systems biological at Stanford University School of Medicine), found that people who experience stress often gain the most weight around holidays. Stress experienced for only a few minutes in the beginning of a stressful situation led to minimal fat production. But, the majority of fat cells were produced when stress is sustained for more than 48 hours.


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FAQ

Why is exercise important for weight loss?

The human body is an incredible machine. It was created to move. Our bodies are designed to move, whether we're running, swimming or biking, lifting weights, doing sports, jumping rope, walking or standing still.

Exercise helps to burn calories and improve muscle tone. This makes you feel good both physically and psychologically. It is common to hear people say that exercise is essential for weight loss. But what exactly is it?

  1. Exercise increases metabolism. When you exercise, your body uses energy. Moves increase heartbeat, blood flow, and oxygen absorption. All of these activities require energy. You can burn calories more easily by exercising and increasing your metabolic rate. Your body's energy consumption during physical activity is known as the amount of calories burned.
  2. Exercise reduces appetite. Exercise can help you lose weight.
  3. Strength is built through exercise. Muscle tissue requires more energy to function than fat tissue. If you build muscle mass, you will require less food to maintain your weight.
  4. Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that make you happy. They are released into the bloodstream during exercise. Endorphins block pain signals from reaching the brain, according to studies. This can give you a sense of well-being.
  5. Exercise boosts self-esteem Exercise is a great way to boost self-esteem. It also leads to a healthier lifestyle.

If you want to lose weight, start with small changes. You can add one of these tips into your daily life today.


What foods can I eat to lose weight quicker?

You can lose weight more quickly by eating fewer calories. This can be done in two ways:

  1. Reduce the amount of calories you consume daily.
  2. Physical activity can help you to burn more calories.

It's easy to reduce how many calories you consume. It's no surprise that we are constantly bombarded with high-calorie fast food options. But, here's a list of foods that will help you shed those extra pounds.

  1. Beans are high on fiber and protein. They contain almost no fat, making them an ideal choice for dieters who want to reduce their caloric intake.
  2. Oatmeal is low in calories but high in nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Oatmeal has less sugar than other cereals.
  3. Eggs are high in cholesterol and protein. Eaten eggs one or two times a week can help boost metabolism and allow you to burn more calories.
  4. Whole grain bread reduces hunger pangs. This can help you feel fuller and longer.
  5. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, flavonoids and other substances that have been linked with lower blood pressure and better heart health.
  6. Cottage cheese is rich in calcium which aids in bone strength. Cottage cheese is also a good source for vitamin D which helps boost immunity.
  7. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which promote brain development and improve cardiovascular function.
  8. Green tea contains a lot of catechins. These are compounds that can fight cancer and improve metabolism.
  9. Broccoli has a lot of folic, which can lower homocysteine in the blood. A higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke is associated with high homocysteine levels.
  10. Yogurt is a great way to add probiotics into your diet without loading up on added sugars. Probiotics play an important role in digestive health.
  11. Berries are a delicious snack option that's also very nutritious. There are many great sources of vitamins, minerals in blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
  12. Avocados are rich in healthy fats. A half avocado provides 80 calories with plenty of fiber, potassium, and filling fiber.
  13. Nuts are a tasty snack option that also happens to be a great source of protein. You can choose from cashews or hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts or pecans.
  14. Sweet potatoes are another starchy vegetables that are high in beta carotene. They make your skin glow. The orange variety is particularly beneficial because they contain higher amounts of beta carotene than regular sweet potatoes.


How long does a weight loss process take?

Weight loss takes time. It usually takes six months to lose 10% of your total weight.

Remember that you should not expect to lose weight in a matter of hours. Your body needs time to adjust to new dietary changes.

This means that you should gradually change your diet over several days or weeks.

Fad diets don't work and you should get off them. Instead, focus on improving your daily routine.

If you are a regular shopper of unhealthy snacks, it is a good idea to stop.

You should eat healthier meals in the morning. This will help you avoid snacking at night.

A good habit to follow is to drink plenty of water throughout your day. Water is essential for keeping your body hydrated. Dehydration can cause you to feel tired and sluggish.

A lot of water throughout the day is a great way to stay energized.

Finally, you should reduce stress levels by doing things that relax you. Spending quality time with loved ones is one way to reduce stress levels.

You could also read books or watch movies, or listen to music.

These activities can help you to unwind after stressful situations. You will feel happier and more confident.

You should consider your health when trying to lose weight.

Your physical fitness level is an indicator of your overall health. If you are looking to improve your physical fitness, it is important that you eat well and do regular exercise.



Statistics

  • It's estimated that half of all American adults attempt to lose weight every year (1Trusted (healthline.com)
  • Among women, the increase in metabolic rate was nearly 4%, or 50 more calories per day (14Trusted Source (healthline.com)
  • Another study found that 24 weeks of weight training led to a 9% increase in metabolic rate among men, which equated to burning approximately 140 more calories per day. (healthline.com)
  • One 6-month study showed that simply doing 11 minutes of strength-based exercises 3 times per week resulted in a 7.4% increase in metabolic rate, on average. (healthline.com)



External Links

onlinelibrary.wiley.com


academic.oup.com


health.harvard.edu


pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov




How To

How to lose weight quickly

There are many methods to quickly lose weight. However, most people find them to be ineffective and unsustainable. It is best to exercise and lose weight quickly through diet. It is important to eat less calories than your body burns each day. This means you should eat less calories than your body burns during normal activities. It is important to decrease your calorie intake in order to lose weight quickly.

It is best to avoid foods high in fat or sugar, as these can increase your appetite. Make sure to drink lots of water every single day. This will keep you hydrated as well as your metabolism humming along. These three ingredients can be combined to produce faster results than you could ever imagine.




 



How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain