How to Combat the Extra Calories

Jingle Bells,What's that smell-

cookies, fudge and cake!

Pumpkin Pies

fill my eyes;

Seems everyone can bake.

Hey!

Here I go;

Can't say 'no';

Gotta fill my plate.

When New Years hits,

my clothes don't fit...

Added 10 pounds to my weight!

Does this sound like what you could be singing during the holiday season? Does this little song reflect the story of your life?

How would you like to start the New Year with a resolution that doesn’t have to do with taking off the additional weight that you gained during the season?

Statistics show that the average person gains 7 pounds during the holiday season. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you why - I think this little jingle says it all. Even those who profess they can’t cook or choose not to because they don’t have time, seem to suddenly turn into Betty Crocker when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around.

With all of the extra cookies, candies and pies floating around the office, church and home not to mention the extra dining and parties at others’ homes, it is no wonder so many people gain during this time.Let’s look at a couple of ways to combat the extra calories this season can bring…

First – make up your mind that you are going to limit yourself. Predetermine what you will allow yourself to have. You do not want to completely deprive yourself or you may find that you overindulge later or perhaps turn into a ‘Mr. Scrooge’ and go through the season saying “humbug!” It’s better to limit yourself and enjoy a few of those delightful goodies. By operating in discipline and restraint, you are on your way to finding a new lifestyle that will not only result in a weight loss but one that will remain.

The second suggestion is to turn up the heat! I’m not talking about your heater’s thermostat in your home but rather your internal thermostat through additional exercise. By adding extra exercise to your day, you will burn additional calories, which combats the extra ones consumed.

Combat means a battle, fight or war. Enemies try to sneak their way in without being noticed. That one piece of fudge or cookie that you consume without even realizing it is as if the enemy snuck in and shot his weapon. That weapon can easily be an extra 100 calories! Many times we consume those Christmas goodies without even thinking about what we are doing.

Now the fight is on!! By adding an extra 30 minutes of exercise into your day, you will defeat the effects of those extra calories and burn off what you consumed. Set a goal to do some type of exercise everyday. Even an extra 15 minute brisk walk will produce results when added to your regular routine. You will be glad you did when the New Year gets here and you are making those New Year’s resolutions!

Combat the extra calories of this season and learn how to create a lifestyle of realization, not deprivation!