Don't Diet Over the Holidays!
Posted on Nov 26th 2009 11:00AM by That's Fit EditorsFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
If you switch your focus from dieting to just living a healthy lifestyle during the holidays, you'll actually boost your chances of maintaining your perfect weight.
"Many of us will gain at least five pounds from the middle of October through New Year's Day," said Stefanie Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston. "Because weight gain is gradual, we don't realize the damage of our indulgences right away. But the scale tells all when the holidays are over. That's why 'lose weight' is at the top of our New Year's resolution every year."
So rather than trying to lose weight between Halloween and New Year's Day, focus instead on not gaining weight. That is, make it your goal to maintain your weight.
Dos and Don'ts:
• Don't count every calorie.
• Don't restrict yourself from your favorite holiday foods.
• Do stay active in your everyday life.
"If you can't get to the gym, do whatever it takes to move your body. Walk the dog more, plan a walking coffee break at work, play in the yard with the kids after dinner or throw the football around with your brothers," Barthmare said. "Plan an active, rather than a passive vacation this holiday season. If you normally go somewhere to sit, read and eat, plan a trip where you hike, bike or ski. Learn a new sport just for fun and notice the impact on your waistline."
"Many of us will gain at least five pounds from the middle of October through New Year's Day," said Stefanie Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston. "Because weight gain is gradual, we don't realize the damage of our indulgences right away. But the scale tells all when the holidays are over. That's why 'lose weight' is at the top of our New Year's resolution every year."
So rather than trying to lose weight between Halloween and New Year's Day, focus instead on not gaining weight. That is, make it your goal to maintain your weight.
Dos and Don'ts:
• Don't count every calorie.
• Don't restrict yourself from your favorite holiday foods.
• Do stay active in your everyday life.
"If you can't get to the gym, do whatever it takes to move your body. Walk the dog more, plan a walking coffee break at work, play in the yard with the kids after dinner or throw the football around with your brothers," Barthmare said. "Plan an active, rather than a passive vacation this holiday season. If you normally go somewhere to sit, read and eat, plan a trip where you hike, bike or ski. Learn a new sport just for fun and notice the impact on your waistline."
