Tips for Preventing Weight Gain Over the Holidays

Being overweight has been linked to a number of health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, and some kinds of cancer. If your older family member has been working hard to shed those extra pounds, the holidays can derail them. After all, when people gather, it is often around a table laden with delicious food. However, there are ways for older adults to join in on the holiday festivities without sabotaging their weight loss. Below are some tips to help seniors to avoid weight gain this holiday season.

Don’t Eat Less the Day Before

Home Care Naples, FL: Avoiding Weight Gain

Many people try to “save up” their calories before a holiday feast. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work. In fact, it can make things worse. When older adults try to eat less the day before, they arrive at the celebration even hungrier and have a harder time making good decisions. That can lead to eating even more than they might have otherwise. It’s better to continue following a sensible diet plan right up until the holiday meal.

Stay Active

Holidays are often a time for families and friends to sit around talking and sharing memories. However, inactivity means burning fewer calories. Instead of planning gatherings around a meal followed by sitting around, try including an activity that gets people moving. It could be a game or volunteering at a community meal or fitness event.

Eat Slowly

Some people try to limit the amount they eat by telling themselves they’ll only eat during the first half hour or so of the gathering. That can lead to the senior stuffing their face during that time and eating much more than they need. Not only will it cause them to overeat, they may also be uncomfortable for the rest of the day. A better idea is for the older adult to eat slowly and in small amounts throughout the day. That way they can enjoy the food and avoid a stomachache.

Return to Routine

It’s okay to indulge a bit for the day, but the older adult should return to their regular routine the next day. Delaying for the long holiday weekend can make it more difficult to go back to eating healthy and exercising. In fact, they may not return to their healthy lifestyle at all.

If you’re planning a holiday gathering that your older family member may need some help through, you can schedule an elder care provider to be with them throughout the celebration. An elder care provider can assist the senior in making smart food choices. In addition, elder care can help with their other needs, allowing family caregivers to take the day off and relax.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Naples, FL, call the caring staff at Dial-a-Nurse today. Naples: (239) 434-8000. Ft. Myers: (239) 939-1228.

Sources

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/how-to-avoid-gaining-weight-holidays.html?intcmp=AE-HP-BB-LL2

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tips-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain#1

Dial-a-Nurse of Fort Myers Registry, Inc.