November 15, 2018

Survive the holidays healthfully

With forethought and a game plan, it's possible to maintain your waistline.

Many people during the upcoming holiday season are likely to have stressors in their lives, which include keeping bank accounts steady, stress levels low and waistlines under control. 

Weight gain begins to rise in the United States throughout October and November, peaking approximately 10 days after Christmas, according to a study in the The New England Journal of Medicine. On average, a person’s weight increases nearly a pound and a half during the holiday season. 

While the average weight gain numbers aren’t large, Olivia Moses, DrPH, director of Corporate Health and Wellness at Loma Linda University Health, says the issue is gradual long-term weight gain from unhealthy holiday binging. 

“During the holidays, we’re in celebration mode, making it very easy to gain a few pounds,” Moses says. “The problem is we often never lose the excess weight, and year after year, we continue with the same routine.” 

The goal for the holidays is to celebrate AND keep your health in mind, Moses says. One of her tips: Only eat your favorite things. 

For Moses’ full list of holiday Do’s and Don’ts, read the complete story at news.llu.edu. 

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