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Is that even possible? You know, to not gain any weight over the holidays? Well for some people it is. They are the ones who can easily say no to the sweeter things in life. Just so you know, I'm not one of them. For some reason, holiday baked goods just taste so much better between November 1st and January 1st. It's like comfort food for the soul. Except the only thing getting padded around here are the hips, waist, back legs and arms.
But seriously, why is it that we require food to enjoy the holiday season? And it is a requirement I tell you. I've conducted an experiment and invited friends over for coffee and the first thing they say is, "what can I bring, I can make cookies or a quiche?" Hmmmm, that sounds yummy! I have to admit that the first thing I think about is "what should I make?" you know, to serve with the coffee because it would be a sin to have JUST coffee.
Well, this is who we are and this is what we do. We are trained to celebrate everything with food and there's no better time to "get away" with over eating like the holiday season. The media and every medical profession in the media has been telling us that, on average, people gain five to seven pounds during the holiday season. OUCH! They say from November to December, more accurately it all begins on Halloween, October 31st and ends on New Year's day, January 1st. So, even though we know this to be pretty accurate, we still manage to fall into the trap of the holiday weight gain. We eat the tasty treats, the delicious foods, and the drinks and begin the process of putting off fitness as a new year's resolution. We simply give in to the fad.
So what do we do now? The "weight gain season" has already begun. Do we just stay on this slippery slope and start our healthy habits next year OR is it possible to avoid becoming a statistic? Of course it is. Anything is possible if you really want it to be. I have tips, you have wants, so lets put it all together and see how we do.
1. Start moving NOW! Why wait until after you've gained the weight to realize you need to get back in shape. Start now!
Exercise: Measure out an area that is safe for you to walk from your home and back. Invite some neighbors to join you after dinner, early in the morning or middle of the day. Do the math. Walk two miles a day, times seven days a week-- that is just over a marathon in 2 weeks. Challenge yourself and add a mile to your walk OR cut back on the time it takes to walk 2 miles. As you can see, you don't have to join a gym or hire a trainer. Make it fun for the entire family and take the kids for a bike ride, roller skates, or a hike through the park. However, if you feel inadequate about walking alone or working out alone, then by all means join a gym, hire a trainer, start taking classes. Arm yourself with a fitness routine that does not allow you to cheat yourself out of enjoying special holiday treats.
2. Eat well, everyday! If you haven't already started, spend a couple of days logging everything you eat before making any changes. This will help you identify problem areas with your current nutrition plan
