3 Tips for Damage Control of Holiday Weight Gain

Thanksgiving Meal

With Thanksgiving just days away and the holiday season around the corner, it's for people to resist all the eating and drink, and the weight gain that comes with it.

If you missed my last post on 4 Ways to Beat the Holiday Bulge, you can read the article in the following link.

http://www.beyondfitnesssolutions.com/beyondfitness/2011/11/weight-loss/4-ways-to-beat-the-holiday-bulge/

Here are 3 more tips to help you navigate the appetizers, buffet table, cocktail drinks, and dessert, and put some damage-control of your holiday weight gain.

1. Mindless eating. Notice that how much more you eat when you watch TV, read magazine or listen to a CD or tape than eating alone or in silence? When your mind is busy with something else while eating, you don't fully savor the taste and tend to overeat. So start practicing 'mindful' eating.
2. Winter domance or hibernation. The bitterly cold weather in winter makes many people become dormant or go into hibernation. They don't move much at all and certainly are less likely to burn enough calories to maintain their weight. Stay active. Do short 10 to 15 minutes of exercises using bodyweight or simple free weights at home even if you can't go to gym.
3. Lack of quality sleep and rest. We're already a sleep-deprived nation. The hustle and bustle over the holidays just make it worse for many people to get enough 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep. When you sleep less than 5 hours, your body produces lower level of leptin, a hormone that controls how full you feel. You also have higher level of ghrelin that stimulate appetite. In the end, you tend to eat more and gain weight.

One last word, I want to wish you and everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Drink responsbily and drive safe.