Holiday Gains: Know the Facts
By Sara Butler
When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight during the holiday season, many people struggle. There are so many temptations in the forms of cookies, rich foods, and alcohol, almost no one makes it to the new year unscathed. But when it comes to staying healthy for the holidays, the best place to start is with the facts. Here are a few of the myths about your weight during the holidays and the truth behind them!
Myth No. 1: Most People Gain 10 Pounds
If you were to ask someone what the average weight gain during the holidays is, then they'd probably reply with a number close to 10 pounds. The truth is far less scary.
Researchers at Texas Tech found that in a study of men and women aged 18 to 65, the average amount of weight gained in the last six weeks of the year was about one to two pounds. That's a lot less than what most people assume.
This isn't carte blanche to go hog wild with the treats this holiday season, but it is a great incentive to realize you may not dig as big a hole as you think for your continued health and wellness with a little eggnog.
Myth No. 2: If You Exercise More, You'll Gain Less
In studies that followed groups of people through the holidays monitoring weight, it was found that the group who didn't exercise gained about as much as the group that did. That's not to suggest you should ditch your workouts until the end of the year, it's simply important to understand that working out doesn't give you a free pass to indulge. Exercise is always the best option since it's a healthy and helpful way to improve your sleep, lower stress, and have the energy to make it through the season with a smile.
Myth No. 3: You Can Start a Diet in January
It may not seem like a big deal to gain a pound or so, but that's pretty much like slapping four sticks of butter to your body. Sounds like a much larger deal when you put it that way, doesn't it?
Most people never really go on to change habits once the new year rolls around. Don't let the weight creep in on you. Try to eat healthily and exercise all year long and you'll feel much better for it.
Being healthy isn't something you take a break from, it's a habit you practice all year long. So, don't fall victim to popular myths that can only work against your continued health and wellness.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Mill, S.C.