Work off those calories fast
November 21, 2007
Experts advise Americans not to throw good habits out the window on Turkey Day and into the holiday season. Instead, choose carefully, eat slowly, and savor.
"It’s normal and expected that most of us are going to overeat over the holidays," said St. Louis dietitian Diane Zych.
For most healthy people "it’s a blip on the screen," she said. "But for people who struggle with their weight, it’s a very dangerous time. It can really throw them off target."
The holiday season that starts with Thanksgiving (or even Halloween) and ends with New Year’s is a slippery slope, said Barry Popkin, who directs the University of North Carolina Interdisciplinary Obesity Center. He said studies have shown that seasonal weight gain can be significant — up to 10 pounds.
"A pound you can’t remove is a pound for life," he said.
For all but the very health-conscious person who exercises a lot, the extra pounds that come from excess calories are not likely to melt away, Popkin said. He recommends enjoying pie and turkey with lots of water while cutting back on alcohol and other high-caloric drinks.
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