Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Michael Catlin, 10th Mountain Division human resources strength management...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Amber Emery
Multi-National Division - Center
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The holiday season brings joy, happiness, time with family and friends, and do not forget, plenty of wonderful things to eat. In fact, Americans gain an average of 10 pounds over the holiday season.
"People tend to gain weight more during the holidays because they eat more. There are more goodies from home, the cookies, the candy," said Maj. Douglas Badzick, 10th Mountain Division preventive medicine physician. "People are just taking in more calories more than anything else."
The obvious reason is people eat more thus take in more calories, but there are other factors that play a role in the weight gain aspect of this time of year.
Eating while at parties or family gatherings people tend to be preoccupied with their surrounding and do not pay attention to how much they have eaten. Then there is the obligation to the host or hostess to try their famous pecan pie. Other factors that play a role are stress and anxiousness.
The good news is the holiday season has passed, so the worst is done. Now comes losing the extra pounds. One pound equals 3,500 calories. So in order to lose weight, the body has to burn more fuel than is being consumed.
"There are tons of fad diets out there, but probably the most important thing if you are trying to lose weight is to be consistent with it and it is better to do it slower and lose it over a couple of months than to do it with a crash diet of some sorts" said Badzick.
A few tips to remember when beginning the weight loss process are as follows:
- Cleanse the toxins from your body. Indulging in holiday sweets and alcohol causes the body to produce insulin and create an unbalanced blood sugar and a higher capability for the body to gain weight. Taking in a minimum of 96 ounces of water and an increase in fiber for two weeks will help rid the system of toxins.
-Return to a healthy diet by eating more fruits and vegetables.
-Increasing protein intake will help balance the overindulgence in sugar and increase the metabolism and get it back on track.
-Increasing muscle mass through strength training helps fuel the metabolism by developing lean strong muscle.
It is important to remember though that being preventative throughout the holiday season is the best method for combating weight gain.
"If you are going to have a cookie, just have one not a whole box of cookies," said Badzick. "Really it is more of a lifestyle than a diet."
There is not a nutritionist available in Baghdad; but if Soldiers have questions about diets or any related topics, they can visit the division surgeon's office or the aid station for assistance.
At Ft. Drum, N.Y., Capt. Julie Hess is a dietician located in Clark Hall and is available for individual counseling and offers group nutritional classes which include healthy cooking classes.
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2009 03:42 |
| Story ID: | 29004 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 218 |
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