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TagsBY VINCENT FERGUSON
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is often characterized by cheer, stress, and, of course, weight gain. Many Americans gain extra weight, especially around the mid-section, which is the worst place to carry excess fat. However, the amount of food we eat during the holiday season is not the only problem — we all become more lethargic as well. Ask 10 people for their New Year's resolution and most, if not all, will say, "To lose weight and get into shape." It's the same response year in and year out. What if this New Year could be different?
One way to limit weight gain during the holidays is to become more active and exercise. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine the lead researcher, Dr. Yanovski, stated that:
"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."
Another reason to exercise during this holiday season is stress: the stress of shopping, stress at work, and stress at home. Trying to decide what to buy your loved ones for Christmas can really wreak havoc on your mind and body, not to mention your pocketbook. There is a hormone secreted by your adrenal glands called cortisol. This hormone, more commonly known as the
"stress hormone," is secreted throughout your body in larger amounts during periods of high stress than at any other time. This hormone is also known to cause weight gain, especially around the midsection. This combination of stress, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise during the holiday season results in excess weight for the New Year.
Exercise will keep your cortisol levels in check and burn off excess calories during the holidays.
One of the best exercises to do is walking. Brisk walking is considered moderate-level physical activity and a low impact exercise. It can boost your metabolism, provide a feeling of well being, and fuel your resolve to eat healthy during the holidays. I know from personal experience that after exercising my body craves healthy, nutritious foods.
If you do 30 minutes of walking multiple times a week you will see tremendous health benefits.
You could even divide the 30 minutes into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each. There are many ways to fit more walking into your day: use the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus a stop or two early, or park your car at the far end of the parking lot. Walking doesn't have to be a boring exercise, either. You can get in your walk while shopping or take a stroll around the neighborhood to check out the Christmas lights.
Fit in 30 minutes of walking each day this holiday season; it will make a world of difference.
Vincent Ferguson has been a certified personal trainer for over 20 years. He is the author of "Six Weeks To A Six Pack," creator of the Children's Sports & Fitness Expo, and President of Body Sculpt of New York, Inc.
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