Sidestep holiday pounds

James McConatha, Sports Editor
Published On: 11/23/2009

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday among students. The weather is cooler, friends and family come together unlike any other time of year, and there is always plenty of food.

No bones about it, students love to eat. However, after working so hard throughout the summer and fall semester to build and maintain a healthier physique, health conscious students may be worried about holiday weight gain.

With that in mind, here are a few things that can help any student get through Thanksgiving and Christmas without putting on holiday pounds:

First, eat your meal slowly.

Maybe grandma prepared your favorite dish, or maybe you have not been able to enjoy mom’s cooking since you came back to school in August. Either way, the food is sure to be packed with calories and entirely irresistible. So don’t resist.

Instead of depriving yourself, eat your meal slowly and get smaller portions. There’s no rush. You don’t have to hurry to class, so enjoy it. Eating more slowly will allow you to feel yourself getting full, so you won’t overindulge.

If you find yourself still hungry, be sure that you are drinking enough water.

Your body is composed primarily of water and needs the stuff to function properly. It is just as necessary at your grandmother’s table as it is in the gym, so be sure that you are drinking enough of it. In addition to helping you feel full, it can also help reduce fatigue and stress.

Remember to make time for exercise.

Your daily routine has been disrupted by the holidays, but your exercise routine does not have to be. You may be miles from your gym and have no exercise equipment readily available, but you can still go for a walk. Better yet, go for a jog. Do some sit-ups or push-ups.

You could even get the whole family involved in a backyard football game, dodge ball or a three-legged race. Anything that gets you moving and keeps you away from the temptation of a third slice of pumpkin pie counts as a good idea.
If you can keep yourself motivated through the holidays, you will be glad when the New Year rolls around, and you will have something to show for last year’s resolution.

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