For many of us, the time of the holidays is marked with joy, spending time with family, and eating delicious festive meals! While it’s a wonderful tradition, some overweight people can gain as much as five pounds during the holidays. According to a study conducted by Oxford Academy’s Nutrition Reviews, the weight is also surprisingly difficult to shed.
At ViscoGen™, we help inform our patients about healthy ways to be festive, stay healthy, and avoid weight gain. After all, each pound of excess body weight translates to 4 lbs of added pressure to the knees.
Here are a few ways to ensure your weight doesn’t fluctuate this holiday season!
Stay Active
If you live in a colder climate or are traveling to one to meet with your family, we understand that it’s harder to go outside for exercise. The good news is that there are many ways to stay active and get your heart rate up – even at home!
Simple bodyweight exercises, such as pushups, sit-ups, planks, and other maneuvers can help keep your muscle tone and rev up your metabolism. Other people like to opt for at-home workout videos, such as pilates or yoga, to stay active at this time.
Watch Your Portion Sizes
We know it’s hard to fight temptation when there are feasts abound! The good news is that you can pretty much eat anything you want – just in moderation. A small slice of pie is a perfect way to celebrate, but not every day, and not after eating an enormous meal! Eat mindfully, chew slowly, and be sure to drink plenty of water to help curb your appetite and keep temptation at bay.
Get Proper Sleep
Did you know that the quality of our sleep can dictate the hormones that control hunger and satiety? For this reason, it’s critically important to be getting enough deep sleep during the holidays. People who are poorly rested will feel tired, and hungrier the next day versus someone who got their 8 hours.
At ViscoGen™, we’re wishing everyone a happy holiday season! If you have any questions about our knee pain program or any of our innovative, nonsurgical treatments, contact us today!
