Author: Tracie Johanson
Just watching your diet alone won’t lead to easy weight loss. For true fat loss, it is critical that you incorporate regular exercise into the holiday routine.
Again referring to Dr. Yanovski’s holiday weight loss study (see Part 1 of this article), we can confirm the important of exercise. “The finding that study volunteers reporting more physical activity had less holiday weight gain suggests that increasing physical activity may be an effective method for preventing weight gain during this high-risk time” (source: nichd.nih.gov).
Traditional holiday activities don’t even come close to solving this weight issue. The popular ‘after dinner nap’ burns only about 34 calories for every thirty minutes asleep. Watching television, that great American holiday pastime, burns just 37 calories every thirty minutes. Even sitting down and eating burns more calories than that (56 calories burned every thirty minutes). Clearly, our favorite holiday activities don’t make the best weight loss program (source: caloriesperhour.com).
Only regular and consistent exercise, combined with a low fat diet, will get us the holiday weight loss results we’re seeking. Don’t have the time or urging to exercise? Take a look at this list of the top ten ways to get some holiday exercise without being a humbug:
-> Holiday Exercise Tips:
1) It’s beautiful outside during the holidays! Take a walk outside, down the street or around the block. Take a walking tour of Christmas lights in the neighborhood. A 165 lb. woman walking for 30 minutes will burn approximately 187 calories (source: caloriesperhour.com).
2) Going shopping this Christmas season? Who isn’t? Park as far away from the entrance as possible so you’ll be forced to walk further. Remember, every little bit adds up!
3) Investigate a new shopping mall. You’re going shopping anyway, so why not get some extra exercise in the process? Find a mall you’ve never been to before and make it a point to walk up and down every single staircase. While you’re at it, walk past every single store too.
4) Failing to plan is planning to fail. Right now, before the holiday get crazy, make a plan to get into the gym. Thinking you’ll ‘get around to it’ just doesn’t happen when there are gifts to buy, foods to prepare, and family to visit. Make a plan, write it down, and stick to it.
5) Don’t fall into the ‘all or nothing’ trap. If you’ve missed a few visits to the gym already this week, don’t give up until New Years! Instead, get in there and exercise now – even if it’s just once. Some exercise is always better than none at all.
6) When you’re really short on motivation or time, try to get at least ten minutes of exercise. Chances are, once you get started you’ll finish up with the recommended thirty minutes. Even if you do quit after ten minutes, that’s still a lot better than zero!
7) Get in a good solid exercise session right before a big meal. It will increase your will power and your metabolism.
8) Don’t pay the neighbor kid to shovel off the walk for you – do it yourself! You’ll save a few bucks and burn about 225 calories for every thirty minutes of shoveling (source: caloriesperhour.com).
9) Clean the house! Hey, you need to get ready for the annual family visit anyway. Vigorous house cleaning burns about 150 calories every thirty minutes (source: caloriesperhour.com).
10) Find a workout buddy. Pick a good friend or family member that also wants to lose weight fast, and together make a commitment to exercise regularly. You might even want to buy each other a gift certificate for a local gym as a Christmas gift!
There’s no doubt that healthy weight loss during the holidays is difficult, but it is certainly not impossible. Follow a sensible weight loss diet, remember to exercise regularly, and this year you’ll be smiling like Santa instead of grimacing like the Grinch!
About the Author
Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute
exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and
nutrition for maximum weight loss.
About Manifest Excellence, LLC
Health promotion and empowerment company Manifest Excellence®, LLC supports people with optimizing personal wellness by addressing the five key areas that impact health. They combine over 20 years traditional medical experience with a comprehensive & holistic wellness philosophy to provide innovative and effective wellness strategies. They enthusiastically teach a comprehensive approach to health and wellness that addresses mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical well-being.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/holiday-weight-loss-thanksgiving-and-christmas-dont-have-to-ruin-your-new-year-6813.html
Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. No information in this article
or on our website should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any medical condition.
A wellness thought leader, she champions a comprehensive approach to health by addressing mental, emotional, social, spiritual & physical well-being with a simple and potent message. Her book Wellness Your Way offers a practical strategy to assist readers in creating a happier, healthier life. For more information or to book Dr. Hamilton for speaking engagements visit www.ManifestExcellence.com or www.DonnaHamiltonMD.com
- 10 Quick, Easy Holiday Self-Care Tips - December 15, 2017
- Health Benefits of Kindness and Compassion - June 3, 2017
- Why Self-Care is Good for Your Health - May 10, 2017
