Don’t Eat that Cookie!
It may not sound like much, but eating a single extra Christmas cookie or other goody during the Holiday Season contains enough calories to make you gain a pound of weight. And it’s especially hard to resist eating just one goody with them lying everywhere we turn! “It won’t hurt to have another,” we say. Why not make it two? Well, that’s two extra pounds of weight. How about three cookies? How would you like about three extra pounds? Do you get the point? The fact is that most people eat even more than that, and it’s not uncommon to gain over five pounds during the Holiday Season alone. Over time this translates into a major problem in America called “overweight and obesity.”
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that overweight and obesity may be an even greater problem than we all thought. The study suggests that in the near future, 9 out of 10 men and 7 out of 10 women will become overweight. It’s relatively and scientifically clear that there is a connection between overweight and obesity and increased mortality due to hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, gallstones, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer (colon, breast, endometrial, gall bladder), menstrual abnormalities, impaired fertility, and increased pregnancy risks.
There is a way to live a better life!
Overweight and obesity are taking massive tolls on humanity. If we take a look at how an overweight nation affects not only our lives but our society as a whole, just think of the massive repercussions that occur because of overweight. The American Obesity Association states, "no human condition -- not race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or disease state -- compares to obesity in prevalence and prejudice, mortality and morbidity, sickness and stigma." According to studies published in the journals Health Affairs and Obesity Research by RTI International, overweight and obesity problems cost our country as much as $93 billion each and every year. And now it appears that it’s only going to get worse.
Take a look at these startling statistics! In the USA we have:
- 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
- 8 out of 10 people over the age of 25 is overweight
- 78% of American's not meeting basic activity level recommendations
- 25% completely Sedentary
- 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990
In past years being overweight and obesity have been looked on as a personal problem. However, in 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General took issue with the problem and called on everyone to take responsibility, including individuals, families, communities, schools, work sites, health care, media, industry, and government.
Julie Gerberding, Director of the Center for Disease Control sums it up when she says, "The long-term effects of obesity on our nation's health and on our economy should not be underestimated."
So don’t wait to lose weight! It’s time to take action! Start now, even before the New Year, to engage in regular physical activity, reduce sedentary activities, and practice a healthy diet! Here are a few helpful tips to keep you fit and trim through the holiday festivities.
Be Accountable!
Let some people know you are trying to eat right! Have some people who are close to you hold you accountable for what you eat! Who knows? Your great eating habits might rub off on them!
This Cookie has HOW MANY CALORIES?
Know what you are eating. An average large peanut butter or chocolate chip cookie contains about 300 calories! Every time you eat one cookie during think about the fact that you’ll need to go out and jog about a mile to burn the calories in that one cookie. Eat two cookies, run two miles. Either that or you’ll wear it on your hips!
Don’t Skip Meals before a Party.
This is a common practice but not recommended in any responsible weight management routine. Thinking you can skip a meal and then splurge on holiday goodies usually results in consuming more calories than you would have had you not skipped the meal. The practice can also leave you with a headache and in a bad mood.
Eat Before the Party!
Before going to the party, fill up on some good fiber-filled food like fruits and vegetables. Do this and chances are good you won’t eat as much of what you shouldn’t eat at the party.
Stay Disciplined!
It’s not bad to have a treat. Just say no to more than one.
Slow Down.
Its common weight management practice to eat slowly and chew completely. Don’t lose the practice during the holidays.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water is a great way to manage caloric intake. Drink it before, during and after festivities. Being adequately hydrated will help you say no to temptation.
Keep an Eye on the Prize
Your goal is proper weight and health. Don’t lose sight of it when you’re tempted by an extra helping of food, another cookie, or some of Auntie Karen’s homemade cheesecake. Don’t lose sight of what’s most important to you.
Eat Healthy Snacks!
With the abundance of Christmas cookies and other homemade goodies, keep plenty of healthy snacks around, no matter where you are. Instead of eating the “bad,” snack on soy nuts, chips, or protein bars instead so that your calories are healthy ones.
Exercise
Are you sick of hearing it? By now you know how critical exercise is to good health. Get or stay in the habit through the holidays.
Sleep Right
You need eight hours of sleep. Don’t party so much or eat things that prevent you from getting it. Getting enough sleep is critical to a weight management program.
Fail Forward
If you slip and overeat during the holidays don’t fret. Use it to further your determination to stay on course and stay committed to a lifestyle of proper eating and exercise. Get back on the health horse and keep riding.
We hope you enjoy this Holiday Season with health and happiness. As part of your diet we want you to remember that research indicates Soy may be a significant factor in controlling caloric intake. It has been found that protein makes you feel full, or increases your state of satiety, for longer than if you ate mostly carbohydrates. The feeling of being full can lead to eating fewer calories! So avoid eating too much during this Holiday Season, increase your physical activity, and choose a proper diet complete with a variety of delicious
soy food products. And this month you can have all of our delicious foods and snacks shipped to you absolutely free! Add them to your menu this Holiday Season and stay on the right course this coming year!
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