LAGUNA BEACH, CA -- 12/19/07 --
During the holiday season, you can expect
two things to add up -- shopping bills and pounds. In fact, many of us
revelers will have added an average of five pounds of excess baggage by the
time January 2 arrives. There are two ways to boost your chances of keeping
those extra pounds off. You can burn excess calories by increasing the
amount of time you spend battling crowds in shopping malls. Or you can
modify your eating habits. This doesn't mean starve yourself. Such a
drastic measure almost always leads to binge eating the moment you decide
to put something into your stomach.
The American Society of Bariatric Plastic
Surgeons (ASBPS), a powerful
resource for individuals requiring post-bariatric treatment, is offering a
full menu of common sense solutions for those who want to win the battle of
the bulge. The ASBPS recommends that
you follow the following guidelines for healthful weight management during
the holidays and all year long.
Pre-Meal Strategies
Drink low-calorie fluids and/or water to help fill you up, postpone eating
long enough to skip a meal, and be the last at the buffet table so that
there are far fewer fattening temptations left.
Light and Lean
Opt for lean meats such as skinless chicken, and turkey. If too bland,
spice it up or buy the smoked variety. Balsamic vinegar is preferred over
oil for flavoring. If the latter must be used, go with olive oil.
Fish is also a winner anytime. For maximum pleasure and to avoid the "fishy
taste," buy it fresh with the skin removed and wash the catch in cold water
and season well. Smoked fish also makes an excellent, low-cal entrée.
Non-fat cereal, fresh fruit, and veggies are always a smart choice.
Potatoes should be whole, not mashed, with sweet potatoes ranking the
highest. Use your favorite seasonings.
What you drink demands the same common sense approach as what you eat. Diet
beverages and low or non-fat milk will help keep the calories from piling
up. Try limiting your alcohol intake by adding more mixer to cocktails,
opting for light beer, and watering down wine to reduce calories, as well
as make it colder.
Safe Snacking
For snack attacks, replace chips with the far less fatty pretzels. And if
you must give in to your sweet tooth, don't rely on labels. Check the fat
and calorie content of those delectable goodies for yourself.
What to Avoid or Limit
In order to reduce calorie and fat intake, certain items should be avoided
or at least strictly limited. Among the most notorious culprits are butter,
fried foods, sodium, and sugar. Remember, excessive sugar can cause what is
known as the rebound effect. And go easy on the salt, as well. Sodium is an
appetite stimulant. Large amounts of this ingredient can even be 'hidden'
in various foods, including certain cereals. So be on the lookout.
Additional Tips
-- Eating - Do this slowly, and if possible, with a companion. Hopefully,
this will lead to more talking and less eating. You may also be too
embarrassed to over-indulge if somebody else is watching.
-- Exercising - Better after a meal to curb appetite. If you are in the
right environment, grab a shovel and start clearing away mounds of snow.
Stay too busy to eat.
-- Easing Into It - Transition into your new dining habits. Don't jump
from whole milk to non-fat in a week. After several weeks of transitioning,
whole milk will seem as rich as eggnog.
-- Escaping the TV Trap - Limit your viewing, and you'll significantly
cut down your exposure to all those tempting food commercials. It's also a
good idea to avoid the food section and grocery ads in your local
newspaper.
And if all else fails...
The ASBPS offers you easy access to
many highly qualified plastic surgeons
who can help you look and feel best with a variety of modern lipo or body contouring treatments.
Contact:
Dr. Edward J. Domanskis
President
URL: www.ASBPS.org
