Losing weight or maintaining weight loss during the holidays is often difficult. Especially during the holidays, all-too-common phrases such as “I’m too busy” or “It’s too hard to maintain a routine this time of year” make it easy to avoid exercise, choose unhealthy foods and pack on the pounds. To avoid unwanted weight gain, consider the following strategies as the holidays near:
- Keep a food diary to keep yourself on track
- Plan meals ahead of time so you aren’t eating on the go
- Weigh yourself weekly and keep a written weight diary
- Plan your breakfast before you go to bed and set out the items you can so they are ready
- Set aside the ½ hour after dinner for family walks or activities with kids or pets
- Set aside a few minutes during work breaks to walk with co-workers
- Park a little farther away to increase steps
According to the American Heart Association, people who are successful with weight loss and maintaining weight loss have several common habits:
- 98% have modified their eating habits
- 94% increased their level of physical activity
- 78% eat a healthy breakfast every day
- 75% weigh themselves weekly
- 62% watch 1.5 hours or less of TV daily
For more information about making healthy choices for a healthier heart, visit Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department’s (ELVPHD) website at www.elvphd.org. ELVPHD’s Operation Heart to Heart program provides health coaching and education for individuals and businesses. The program focuses on adopting a healthier lifestyle and includes heart health screening, education and coaching. To learn more please call 402-529-2233. Funding for this project provided by AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program.