Americans Resolve to Live a Healthy New Year

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – It starts with Halloween. We rummage through leftover candy and raid our children’s Trick or Treat bags. We dig into Thanksgiving feasts, indulging in marshmallow sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. It is no surprise that 50% of Americans report having broken a diet due to the temptation of holiday food. As the year ends with a blitz of food excess, many of us promise to eat better in the new year and ask ourselves – how can we enjoy the flavors of the holidays while jumpstarting our health goals today?

For the past four years, Herbalife Nutrition has surveyed thousands of Americans about holiday eating and health goals for the New Year. Our 2021 “Writing Off the End of the Year” research unveils the challenges we all face when trying to balance the joys of the season and aspirations to be healthy. This year’s research shows that most Americans not only expect to enjoy holiday foods fully, they also expect to gain at least eight pounds throughout the season – a full pound more than last year’s survey.

Have you ever eaten so much that after a family feast, you’re uncomfortable in your clothes? If so, you are not alone. Nearly 50% of consumers admitted they’d eaten so much during a holiday season that they’ve had to undo a button on their pants or loosen a belt. And 45% have increased their meal consumption within a day — such as eating multiple lunches or dinners.

While the weight gain expectations are increasing, the guilt is not. The study found 90% plan on enjoying the holiday season without worrying about maintaining a healthy diet. After the difficult past few years, many people are “not sorry” for the desire to just let loose and relish all the festive foods, with 65% reporting that they “deserve” treats, more so than in past years.

With so many reasons to indulge, are there ways to enjoy the holidays without overdoing the calories? Here are a few ideas:

· Prep before leaving your house by eating a healthy snack to stave off hunger. Arriving at a holiday party hungry is a recipe for overindulging.

· Enjoy the non-sugary holiday nuts and crudites platter vs. the mini quiche and stuffed mushrooms appetizers.

· Consume more proteins and fewer carbs. So, as you surveil the holiday buffet, consume the meats and beans first and limit the biscuits, stuffing, and pie.

· Size does matter when we consume calories and try taking small portions or tastings of the carb-heavy items.

· Cap a great meal with healthy sweets by heading to the fruit plate before the pastries and cakes.

· Exercise before and after a big meal is not only a fun way to gather with family, but it can also aid in digestion and keep the pounds at bay. “Turkey Trots” are a fun family short run that everyone can participate in.

· Keep a consistent exercise routine – something as simple as a morning or evening walk can help stave off the pounds.

With so many plans not just to embrace holiday eating but overdo it, one might expect that many people would start planning for their New Year’s health goals today. Two-thirds of the survey respondents are actively delaying their plans to get healthy. But, with 2022 approaching, nearly 40 percent report making New Year’s resolutions, including exercising more, eating healthier, and focusing on self-care.

Make your resolutions concrete, realistic and attainable — so you can keep them well past January. The most successful New Year’s health resolutions combine nutritious balanced diets and exercise, have specific, achievable goals, and activate a community of like-minded supportive people.

Here’s how to make effective New Year’s resolutions:

· Make them simple and concrete. For example, “30 minutes of exercise per day” or “Add 1 vegetable to each meals.”

· Don’t overload yourself. Choose 1-2 goals, so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

• Use the buddy system. Find a friend or group of like-minded people to support you and help keep each other accountable.

Don’t give up on your wellness before New Year’s, and use resolutions to focus on small, reachable goals, so you can build on that success all year long.

While the new year brings the resolve to eat and live healthier, we can get a jumpstart on our wellness goals as we head into the holiday season. It is possible to enjoy the many delicious seasonal favorite foods without overdoing and overeating. Plan now and resolve to be conscious of what you consume before the dinners and parties arrive and take time to exercise now to make those fitness goals more manageable. Make 2022 the healthiest year ever by creating a holiday plan today.