Avoid Putting on Extra Pounds During the Holidays

Once again, the holiday season is upon us. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to spending time with family and friends, relaxation and of course,  the holiday feasts. During the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, which is roughly 6 weeks, I tend to see people increase their body weight anywhere from five to ten pounds, in some cases even more. Here are a few ways to help prevent putting on extra weight during the holidays: Portion Control. It’s difficult to say no to appetizing food when it’s right in front of you, so what you can do is ask for a smaller dish to control your portions. Because you will not be able to put as much food on a smaller plate, the amount of calories you take in will be reduced. Water Intake. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you will be less likely to feel hungry. Studies have shown that the more water an individual consumes during the day, the more he or she will feel a sense of fullness. If your stomach does not signal the need for food, you will most likely eat less during the day. Exercise. The key is to increase your metabolism so that you can burn more calories. Taking a fast paced walk about 30 minutes after eating is a great way to speed up your metabolism. Also, walking up and down a flight of stairs is a good idea; so is chasing your kids, grandchildren and animals! Whatever gets it going! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyful holiday season! Don’t let the holidays ruin your fitness!...

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Nutrition Tip #4 – Substitute “Sugary Drinks” for Water or Tea

We all know that sugary drinks, such as sodas and juices, play a large role in the rise of child obesity. Drinking just one 8 oz sugary drink every day increases a child’s chances of becoming obese by 60%.  An 8 oz fruit drink has about 110 calories and 7 teaspoons of sugar. A 12 oz can of soda typically contains 10.5 teaspoons of sugar. All of that sugar in your body multiplied by the times of consumption can be dangerous to your health. Let’s get back to basics with water or decaf herbal tea. Up to 60% of the human body is composed of water; the brain is 70% and the lungs are 90%. Herbal tea has been utilized as natural treatments for thousands of years. It will enhance your life, restore strength and can possibly save your life. So let’s substitute all sugary drinks going forward. Your body will thank you for...

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Nutrition Tip #1- How Much Water Should a Person Drink Per Day?

There are several factors to keep in mind when determining the amount of water a person should drink everyday. These factors are: Temperature Activity level Functional losses Metabolic needs Age and other dietary functions I know, you are probably scratching your head right now, but try to keep this in mind; a sedentary woman should consume at least 9 cups of liquids per day, a sedentary man should consume about 12 cups per day. However, keep in mind, that very active persons require more fluids to offset losses. So, if you are not quite sure how much water to drink, ask your doctor or call your local nutritionist or certified personal trainer and they should be able to tell you the amount of water you need to stay well hydrated. Please continue to check back in for more tips and free advice. Have a happy and healthy...

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