Trimming down the holiday pounds
Thanksgiving feasts often include overindulging, which in the moment can be temporarily gratifying. But many aren’t as enthused about the turkey once it’s digesting.
“The reason why people struggle with staying in shape during the holidays is because there are too many gatherings focused around food,” said Tammy Funk, a junior majoring in family, consumer and human development. “Family, church, social gatherings always center around food. There are more of these during the holidays – too much food, too much temptation.”
Extra pounds from the holidays can be hard on self esteem. Some students feel this is counteracted by diet and exercise.
“We spend the holiday sitting around eating,” said undeclared freshman Karlee Hood. “After all of that, you can’t help but sometimes feel bad about yourself. I think people diet after Thanksgiving to feel better about themselves.”
Exercising and eating healthy can be an enjoyable part of the holiday for people trying to stay in shape.
“I have never been on a certain diet, but I do like working out,” said Hood. “Normally after Thanksgiving I spend a couple of weeks trying to run as much as I can. It always feels good to workout a little.”
Some families incorporate exercise into their holiday traditions for enjoyment and the effect it has of turning traditions into a healthy atmosphere less centered around food.
“My family gets together and we play a big football game,” said Austin Rice, a freshman majoring in business. “Then we eat, then watch football and then we eat pie and then after we rest and just talk.”
Even when exercise is incorporated into a tradition, some can still feel not on top of their game when the festivities have ended.
“I work out Monday through Saturday, but during Thanksgiving break I do indeed take a break,” said Rice. “So I feel lazy and kind of out of the swing of things. So when I start working out Monday again, it will be hard. So you could say i get a little out of shape.”
Some prefer working out over the holidays to cutting calories.
“Working out religiously would help people more than cutting calories,” Funk said. “Have fun and let loose a little over the holidays. I emphasize a little. Don’t go overboard and become a glutton. Just keep the exercising up.”
Some people feel like specific diets are an efficient way to get rid of the extra holiday poundage.
“My diet consists of just juice,” said Randy Wilson, a former USU student. “I make it using my juicer. I have typically one fruit and three veggies. I take my juice three times a day. I am doing this as long as I can, with a goal for a mont
h. I started this diet the saturday after Thanksgiving.”
Having a mixture of healthy diet and exercise can be a good balance for achieving a healthy body.
“I prefer a mixture of the two,” Wilson said. “Working out and a good diet can be a great mix for a perfect body. I chose this diet because it will help me get my BFW – body for wife.”
For some, having a healthy diet and exercising during the season of treat temptation is not too difficult because they have a natural appreciation for fruits and vegetables.
“I just love fruits and vegetables,” Hood said. “It’s kind of my weakness. I just stay away from all of the fast food and try to get a workout in every once in awhile.”
Restaurants and other food sources recognize that people want fun treats during the holidays and are looking for lighter options. Some restaurants have included lower calorie items to their menus.
Diets are often started and broken throughout the holiday season, but on again, off again dieting during the holidays is not always disheartening. Some plan on the diets and exercise to continue after the festivities have ended.
“I diet after thanksgiving all of the time,” Funk said. “It only lasts until the goodies start getting dropped off for Christmas, but there are always New Year’s resolutions and cleanses to look forward too.”
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