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Anytime you regularly eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. For many people, there are certain times surrounding major lifetime events that seem to increase the probability of unwanted weight gain. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, maybe it will help to be aware of some of these times so that you can lessen your risk of extra weight gain.
Weight Gain From the Freshman Fifteen
College is an exciting time for young adults, and apparently it is also a time when people gain weight. A study from Cornell University showed that the average weight gain of freshman at Cornell was over four pounds during the students' first 12 weeks on Campus. For many freshman, the temptation to indulge in junk food and pile on the portions in the dining hall leads to this weight gain.
Another reason for the freshman fifteen is a decrease in physical activity and combining study time with snacking time.
Tips to Avoid the Freshman Fifteen:
Watch your portion sizes in the dining hall. Choose salads, healthy green vegetables, lean meats and whole wheat bread. Limit french fries, sugary sodas, desserts and fried foods.
Keep healthy snacks on hand. Don't buy giant-sized bags of greasy potato chips, tortilla chips and cheese puffs. If you have a refrigerator you can keep fresh cut vegetables and dip. Choose whole grain crackers, rice cakes, nuts, fresh fruits, and dried fruits. If you want the higher-calorie, poor-nutrition snacks, buy them in single serving bags so you can control your calorie intake.
Stick to healthy beverages. Sugary sodas have no nutritional value and the calories can add up fast. Drink a couple of glasses of water between meals instead.
Get some exercise. I know study time is important, however you need to keep active. You don't need to go to the gym or do anything extremely strenuous. Walking for at least 30 minutes five days per week is an easy way to stay active and burn extra calories.
Women should take a calcium supplement now to help keep your bones healthy later in life.
Living Together and Weight Gain
The next stage in life when you are prone to extra weight gain is when you get married, or live together with your life-partner. While married people tend to be healthier than single people, there is also a tendency to gain weight when you get married or partnered. Why does this happen? It may be due to a reduction in physical activity; it is tempting to stay home and snuggle on the couch with a nice glass of wine. Some people believe that when people find a partner, they may no longer feel the need to pay much attention to their weight. Another reason may be due to the desire to take care of each other and indulge in comfort foods together.
Tips for Avoiding Weight Gain After Marriage:
Get off the couch. Make the time for physical activities that you can enjoy together. You might want to consider joining a health club together or making a commitment to walk or run for at least 30 minutes five days per week.
Choose healthy, low calorie foods and watch your portion sizes at mealtime. Make a healthy salad as a meal a few times per week and avoid fried foods and high calorie desserts.
Indulge each other with sweet words and kisses rather than candies and rich foods.
Take a cooking class together and learn how to prepare healthy and delicious meals at home. Sharing the cooking and meal planning will help you keep each other on a healthy diet.
Weight Gain and Eating for Two
Weight gain during a pregnancy is normal, and it may take more than a year after the birth of your baby to lose all that extra weight gain. It isn't always easy though. If your eating habits changed during the nine months of pregnancy, you will have to change them back to get back to your healthy weight.
Tips for Weight Loss After Pregnancy:
Moms who breast feed tend to lose weight more quickly than mothers who don't breast feed their babies.
Post-partum exercise is very important for regaining pre-baby levels of fitness.
Choose healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains to get the calories you need. Stay away from junk foods and high calorie snacks. Remember that over the coming years, you will be a role model for your child's eating patterns.
Don't expect too much too soon. Super models can give birth and be back in a bikini in a month or two, but most of us take a lot longer. It can take up to a year to lose the post-baby weight, so relax and don't give up on yourself.
Holiday Weight Gain
The holiday season is a fun time to share with family and friends with all of the parties and festivities everyone enjoys. The holiday season is also an annual time for extra weight gain. Gaining a pound or two may not seem like much, but that weight gain adds up over the years. Many people indulge themselves with the good intentions of making New Years resolutions, but why not get a head start on January and stay healthy during the holidays?
