Maintain. Don't Gain!

As we enter into the holiday season, it is hard to resist the many pleasures offered such as pumpkin pie, cookies, chocolate, and more. These deserts are seem irresistible at times, but if we prepare ourselves for the upcoming holidays prior these events we will be more likely to control the urge.
It if a known fact that on average, people gain about one pound during the period between Thanksgiving and late February. The majority of the increase occurs between Thanksgiving and NewYear’s. This study was done by the National Institutes of Health. The results showed that the participants, when checked again a year later, had gained another 1.4 pounds. This increase may seem trivial, but unfortunately if we take a look at a slender 25-year old, for example, who picks up one pound each year for 50 years, he or she will become obese by the age 75. This is depressing news and should be an eye-opener for those out there in similar situations.
From the National Institutes of Health’s research, American males in their 20s who weighed, on average, 163.9 pounds in 1960 were found to weigh 191.5 pounds 40 years later. Similarly, females in their 20s weighed on average 127.7 pounds in 1960, but ballooned to 164.7 pounds 40 years later.
A great saying to keep you on tract during these holiday months is, “Maintain. Don’t Gain!” Try to limit the amounts of deserts you eat at parties. This will help in the long run. Although that piece of pumpkin pie seems all too scrumptious, try to either cut the piece in half or choose a desert filled with fewer calories. Another way to help with the dreaded gain of weight is through exercise. Individuals who exercise even moderately during the holiday period will see much smaller weight gains, according to the National Institutes of Health holiday study.

(Photo Credit: http://www.meredithsuewillis.com/images/gbreadhouse05one.jpg)

So think before you over indulge this holiday season. Nothing is wrong with eathing a dessert after dinner, but be sure to pick something you will not regret in the morning. Do you really want to become gradually obese over the next 40 years of your life? Or do you want to exhibit a little self control over holidays so you ‘Maintain. Don’t Gain’ those extra pounds.