Don't Let the Holidays Cause You to Gain to Weight

It's not uncommon for people to gain weight during the holidays. According to one report, three-fourths of annual weight gain occurs during the holidays. There are a few reasons for this, including the fact that millions of people celebrate the holidays by gathering for festive parties and home-cooked meals. Additionally, the cold weather discourages people from exercising outdoors, resulting in less physical activity. But there are ways to maintain a slim and fit physique throughout the holidays, beginning with the tips listed here.

Track Your Calories

Keep a close eye on the amount of calories you consume daily throughout the holidays. It's easy to overeat when you're sitting around a homemade feast, with many people consuming 3,000 or even 4,000 calories per day. Unfortunately, those excess calories contribute to added body fat and weight gain. You can maintaining your current body weight without adding inches to your waistline, however, by tracking your calories. Use a smartphone app like MyFitnessPal to track exactly how many calories you consume each meal (and snack).

Drink Water

You'll struggle to maintain your current body weight throughout the holidays if you drink sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sweet tea, apple cider or eggnog. Some of these beverages can contain up to 30 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving. To put that into perspective, most men and women should consume no more than 25 to 35 grams of sugar per day. Therefore, drinking a single sugar-sweetened beverage may provide you with a full day's worth of sugar, and all of the sugar floods your body while contributing to weight gain in the process.

Go Jogging

When you're finished eating a holiday dinner, rather than sitting on the couch to watch TV, consider going out for a jog. If you're with friends or family, you can even ask if they'd like to tag alone. A form of aerobic exercise, jogging is an excellent physical activity that burns calories and fat to help you maintain a slim, fit figure. Depending on your pace, you can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 600 calories per hour while jogging -- a substantial amount that's invaluable in helping you maintain your figure throughout the holidays.

These are just a few tips to help you stay slim and fit during the holidays. Most importantly, pay attention to what you eat and choose healthy foods. By being conscious of what you eat and staying physically active, you'll prevent the otherwise common problem of gaining weight during the holidays.