During the holidays, many Americans find themselves breaking their diets or overeating. While it’s likely okay to indulge a little here and there, it can be challenging to ignore food temptations. Here are some helpful things to know about maintaining healthy weight.
It’s more than just numbers
Folks who get on the scale sometimes dislike the numbers they see. Frequently, they turn to fad diets or expensive meal plans or weight loss products for help. Unfortunately, most fad diets or quick-acting weight loss products are not medically supported. In fact, they can put health at risk. Plus, quick diet remedies may work in the short-term but are not sustainable through time. For reasons such as these, most doctors agree that the best way to maintain a healthy weight is to follow a good lifestyle (insert internal link here to The importance of clean living) – which can get you and keep you fit for the long term.
Having willpower
Willpower is defined as the ability to control oneself and one’s conduct. Willpower can be applied to healthy eating and provide the structure to help people get and stay fit. Buying, preparing, and eating healthy food and avoiding junk food are important steps that can make a difference. Some people eat for emotional reasons. By addressing eating triggers, they can learn to cope differently.
Food temptations
The holiday season is notorious for unhealthy food temptations, from high-cholesterol eggnog to sugary desserts. However, all is not lost. People can be mindful of what they eat. Tips include:
- Saying no to unhealthy foods
- Preparing healthy foods instead
- Cutting back portion sizes
- Drinking more water
- Keeping busy with activities to refocus energy
Talk to your doc
Should you struggle with weight loss, talk to your doctor as there could be a medical cause. For some health conditions, prescription medications that are FDA approved may help people with weight loss. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
The weight-health connection
In terms of health, weight matters. People who maintain healthy weight tend to lower their risk of developing serious chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Maintaining a healthy weight can also deliver energy required to stay active – thereby reducing susceptibility to negative age-related health conditions.
Adequate sleep & weight loss
Medical experts share that getting a good night’s sleep regularly is helpful to maintaining a healthy weight. Getting enough sleep can help reduce overeating not only by causing people to take in less calories, but also by regulating appetite hormones.
The importance of being active
When people exercise, they burn calories. This prevents excess weight gain. Moving the body is beneficial for good health. Exercise helps improve muscle strength and boosts endurance. Per Cleveland Clinic, people who aren’t regularly physically active are more likely to develop arthritis that causes joint pain and stiffness. Since stronger muscles support joints, they can improve joint function. Thus, maintaining healthy weight through exercise and healthy sleeping and eating is a triple winning combo.
Disclosure: This article is not medically reviewed and is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.
I am committed to getting behind the Make America Healthy Again! As a senior on an extremely low income not yet on SS, I get SNAP benefits. I watch mothers go through the line at Walmart buying processed and total junk food with WIC and SNAP cards. (Many with their lovely expensive manicures, nice salon hair and a much better phone than I have.) This needs to be outlawed.