Holidays serve recipe for diet
disaster
November 25, 2004
For most Americans, the holiday season marks an escalation
in our battle with the bulge. In fact, you might want
to put down that pie you're having for breakfast before
you read this: Studies have shown that most of a person's
total weight gain over a year occurs during the six
weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
By combining an abundance of food, seasonal stress
and a boatload of emotional baggage, the holidays create
a recipe for diet disaster.
The good news is that people who maintain a healthy
weight can expect to gain less than a pound. Not much
at all, except if you consider that those pounds add
up year after year faster than you can say "middle-age
spread."
The bad news is that people who are already overweight
— the National Center for Health Statistics says
that's two-thirds of adults — can expect the largest
seasonal weight gain of all, an average of 5 pounds.
Clearly, we're a nation that has some serious food
issues. Witness the extremes in our society: We've practically
made dieting a national sport, yet we're bigger than
ever. Millions of us are prepared to pursue unhealthy
means to achieve unrealistic standards. Earlier this
month, the Federal Trade Commission cracked down on
the publication of false and deceptive diet claims.
Still, there's no guarantee the action will put a dent
in the $37-billion-a-year weight-loss industry.
Many prefer to lose
weight vicariously. How else to explain the popularity
of NBC's reality show, The Biggest Loser. Twelve contestants
endure shirtless weigh-ins, slow-motion scales and food-baiting
contests in the name of getting helped/humiliated into
losing weight and winning $250,000? Maybe the ultimate
in ridicule is the way the show mocks viewers by being
sandwiched between ads for extra, extra large pizzas.
A recently released study found that couch potatoes
could actually be on to something, especially if they
sleep instead of snack. Sounds crazy, but scientists
at Columbia University in New York have discovered that
people who sleep more gain less weight. The authors
said the study shows a correlation, not necessarily
cause and effect, but if you need an excuse to get away
from the relatives for a while, please don't hesitate
to tell them you need a nap for health reasons.
It's futile to blame the holidays for sabotaging your
efforts to eat sensibly. Even though it may not be the
best time to lose weight, with some resolve you can
hold the line. It will be easier if you remember to
leave room on your plate for the things that nourish
you in ways that food never will.
Source:www.usatoday.com
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