Fitness Brief

    This is your only hope for not having to ask for a new pair of pants this      Christmas.  As exciting as the holiday season is, many people recognize that for their body, it can be a recipe for disaster.   The consistent abundance of food being served at every meal and the temptation to spend most of the time lounging will present itself during the upcoming break. 
    That being said, here’s are a few quick and easy guidelines to follow that
will hopefully prevent us from returning in January with some extra holiday pounds.
    Richard Dobson, a junior exercise science major here at GCSU, believes that staying fit over the break is not as difficult as one may think.
    “The biggest thing about eating healthy in the holidays is being mindful of portion sizes.  That is the key in maintaining a healthy diet throughout the year, but food is in
abundance during the holidays,” Dobson said.
    The average person makes their first and easiest mistake by choosing to overeat during those special holiday meals.  The quantity of calories consumed at each  meal will play a crucial role in personal health.  Simply put: Don’t pig out at every meal just  because there is a lot of food in front of you.  If you’re feeling full, it is not worth it to take that second helping of mashed potatoes.
    “The best foods are sweet potatoes with little or no sugar, green beans and salads, and turkey (it is the leanest meat), but the real key is portion size.  Drink as much water as possible, water should be the drink of every meal,” Dobson said.
    Let’s be realistic here, it’s nearly impossible to avoid those holiday favorites that are seen once a year.  You’re going to eat grandma’s apple pie and Aunt Sally’s homemade cookies when the opportunity comes.  Try to make it one slice instead of two, and so forth.  But for your health, it is ideal to avoid foods that are fried or high in salt, for your heart’s sake. Some people will risk not being physically active at all during the break and over indulging themselves with holiday treats.
    “That’s bad news bears right there.  If you’re taking in a lot more calories than you burn, that’s the road to weight gain,” Dobson said.
    Another easy temptation to fall into is using the cooler weather as an excuse to remain indoors, and remain inactive.  If you feel that it would be uncomfortable to go for a run and the local gym is not an option, there is another alternative.
    A no-weights circuit training routine may be one’s best option for this situation.  It requires no special tools or location, just the desire to stay fit and healthy.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 1 2006. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry