Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every year between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day? That equates to ingesting at least 17,500 more calories than you burn on a daily basis during that time period. At a minimum, that equals nearly 500 extra calories per day on average over that stretch of days.
Usually, the added weight comes in fancy cookie trays or creatively decorated gift baskets from clients, friends and family. The sound of Christmas music and arrival of cold weather encourage us to partake of traditional holiday fare and simply move less. This combination leads to tighter fitting pants and feeling sluggish.
Now is the time to fight back! Don't wait to start your exercise program after the New Year begins. Initiate better exercise and eating habits now, because the weight is always harder to take off compared to preventing the gain beforehand. See the list below for tips on staying trim during this holiday season.
1. Perform strength training workouts at least 3 times per week.
2. Build in extra cardiovascular training if you decide to stray from your normal eating patterns to offset the extra calories.
3. Limit alcohol consumption as it will cloud your eating judgment and predisposes you to cravings and overeating.
4. Limit the number of holiday parties you attend.
5. Eat a small nutritious and fibrous snack prior to arriving at holiday parties. This way you will eat less because your stomach will feel full faster.
6. Do not buy holiday snacks for your house. If it is available, you will graze all day long without even noticing.
7. Plan events such as the Jingle Bell Run that keep you focused on training and exercise amidst the hustle and bustle.
8. Try to limit eating out when possible. With shopping, it becomes easy to dine out and partake in heavier foods and desserts.
9. Go to bed early or on time. Studies suggest that getting too little sleep will affect metabolism and prompt late night eating.
10. While at the mall, take additional time to walk after your shopping is finished.
Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. You can sign-up for his free online newsletter @ http://www.thefitnessedge.cc.
Copyright ? 2004 Brian Schiff
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
For some people it is really hard to give up... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
A lot of people I've talked with about health supplements... Read More
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Here is a continuation of the light and darkness metaphor:... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Oats (botanical name Avena sativa)An oat is a grass that... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
There are a number of common food mistakes that costs... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..Most of us equate the word diet with calorie reduction.... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Eating healthy and taking care of yourself is essential to... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More
In a new study published by the American Heart Association,... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
Nutrition |