Health and Holiday
Weight gain between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is a big concern for most Americans, but why does this happen?
For many, life is hectic during the holiday season, stress levels are high, and there doesn’t seem to be enough time. There are so many things to do: planning, shopping, parties, traveling, you name it. This time creates opportunities to have “perfect” excuses to stop exercising and managing our diet. William Connor, M.D., professor of medicine at OHSU School of Medicine, observes: "The overall clinical impression is that people, after the holidays, weigh more than before because of feasting and lack of physical activity."
Let’s face it now, because when January 1st comes around and you’ve gained 10 pounds, you may wish you had done something different.
Here are some suggestions to stay fit during the holidays:
- Schedule appointments with yourself. During the holiday season we often react more than the rest of the year. Phone calls, text messages, and last minute invitations can have us going in directions we didn’t intend. The number one way to stay fit during hectic times is to schedule and keep appointments with yourself - to exercise.
- Be prepared. Keep a gym bag in your car with a workout towel, tennis shoes, and gym clothes. You never know when you might be able to use them.
- Park your car far away from your office or the mall. A brisk walk across the parking lot is an excellent way to do some cardio.
- Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Stairs are an excellent fat burning exercise.
Do body weight exercises during down times at work. Whether you are waiting for copies to be printed, sending a fax, or cooking dinner, do some exercises when you have a couple of minutes between your daily duties. Push-ups off the counter, or free squats and lunges are excellent choices. - Exercise during commercials. Whether you listen to the radio or watch television, exercising during commercial breaks is a great way to get the whole family involved in staying fit for the holidays.
- Expend more energy - elbow grease – during your cleaning routines. Whether it’s washing dishes or cleaning the floor put some extra “sweat equity” into it.
- Remember, whatever you are doing, do it with meaning and purpose. To stay fit, treat all your activities like a workout. Walking across the parking lot, climbing the stairs, or washing the car should be done at a brisk pace that keeps your heart rate up for a sustained period of time.
You will be amazed at the results if you follow the seven suggestions above. Imagine how good you will feel in January if you are in better shape than you were before the holiday season! How would that benefit your self-esteem?
