No Gain Campaign helps with holiday weight maintenance
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Ready or not, here they come. The holidays are approaching.
Research shows that most of the weight we gain in one year's time occurs between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That same research shows that we don't lose that weight when the holidays are over.
If we can avoid the holiday weight gain, we will be taking positive steps to prevent obesity and prevent or delay the development of heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems.
Are you ready for a challenge? The challenge begins before Thanksgiving Day and ends after New Year's Day. It is called the No Gain Campaign.
The main goal for this challenge is to remain focused on what we know works in terms of nutrition and physical activity.
The holidays are a wonderful time to catch up with family and friends. It is not a great time to commit to a strict diet. Everyone should enjoy all of the festivities and meals that are associated with the holiday season without losing sight of the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activity.
For these reasons, shift the focus from weight loss to simply maintaining our current weight and healthy lifestyles.
Create a team with your co-workers, teachers, friends, or neighbors. Give yourselves a name. Motivate each other to stay focused on the commitment to maintain your weight during this holiday season.
Support and encourage healthy food choices by providing a source of healthy snacks at your work site, holiday parties, and potlucks. Bring healthy brown bag lunches to work and if possible, post or e-mail weekly health tips or recipes.
To increase physical activity, work sites may conduct an "Avoid the Elevator Campaign," encourage employees to walk to a specific location and log individual miles for incentive prizes, and/or offer flexible lunch breaks to encourage walks.
Start a No Gain Campaign and stay focused all the way to New Years Day. Challenge the holiday gain once and for all this year.
Heather Dusseau is a registered dietitian. Send questions or comments to dietitians@vicad.com.
