It's Almost That Time of Year Again!

So today is October 1st and the beginning of the Holiday season. Halloween is at the end of the month, and before you know it Christmas carols will be playing in malls across the county.  A Study in 2000 by the New England Journal of Medicine found that on average most people only gain an average of a pound over the holiday season, but they also don’t lose that weight. The study also found that those who had a major weight gain over the holiday season were more likely to be overweight or obese and again maintained the weight that was gained over the holiday season.

With this in mind I wanted to take a minute and talk about the pitfalls of the holiday season and some strategies to combat them. First off it’s just not Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that do people in, It’s the holiday parties, special treats at work (at my old job, they had the twelve days of Christmas and each day the break room would be filled with delicious treats), eating out while shopping, and let’s not forget the left over Halloween candy that gradually disappears over time. The holiday season, as great as it is, is also a huge source of stress for most people, especially in this economic climate.

So what’s a girl to do?
-Don’t arrive hungry: Have a little snack before you arrive, so you don’t graze the party away.
-Divert Your Attention: The holidays are about more than delicious food, it’s about friends and family. Focus on catching up, the more you chat the less likely you are to be stuffing your face 
-Count Your Canapés: Set a limit before the event begins and stick to it
-Conquer the Buffet: If Dinner is served Family Style or on a buffet, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. Also pay special attention to condiments and gravy they can be the worst calorie offenders at dinner.
-Limit Alcohol: Not only does alcohol add useless calories, it also may loosen your resolve when it comes to sticking to your nutritional goals for the day
-Be Choosy About Sweets: Limit yourself to small portions and pick something that’s really worth it like chocolate or cheesecake!


P.S. I included the link to the study, in case you're nerdy like me and enjoy reading research articles :)