Registration begins Monday, November 12th

Tracking begins Monday, November 19th

The Truth on Holiday Weight Gain

Popular belief promotes that the average American gains anywhere from 1 to 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

There is, however, good news. According to a 2006 study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the average actual weight gain over the holidays is only 1 pound. The downside, most Americans never lose this weight after the holidays.

With more than half of all Americans overweight to begin with, we cannot afford to gain an additional pound each year. Our annual holiday pound may be a major contributor to obesity later in life, ushering in other weight-related diseases.

What We Can Do!

We can stay active and pay attention. Understand your own triggers to over-eating and under-exercising during this holiday season. The best way to do this—track your activities. Yes, that means stickers and you can only get them by participating in WOW’s Maintain– Don’t Gain!

We know that the days are shorter, there are more errands to run and it just seems as though there is not enough time to get it all done. Result? We just don’t exercise like we did in October! However, this is the time of year we need to remain active not only for weight management purposes but stress management as well.

Hunger is triggered by appetite and appetite is a chemical response by the hypothalamus that sends a variety of signals to us such as hunger, thirst, satiety (feeling of fullness) and cravings to list a few. Sensory inputs, including taste and smell aid in telling the hypothalamus if we are hungry. Anxiety, stress and less daylight also affect the hypothalamus. Now, throw in all the wonderful smells and flavors of holiday meals, baking, food gifts, parties, shorter days, family, shopping and it is no wonder our appetite runs rampant this time of year. But it does not have to dictate our behavior and choices.

How This Program Can Help

Awareness - Tracking your activity and new behavior with stickers and a tracker will help you to see what you have and have not been doing. A gentle reminder when you see a few empty boxes in a row.

Accountability - Knowing that someone will be expecting your numbers each week is a great way to stay on top of things this holiday season. Trust me, there is no judgement, just someone to support you when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed or under-inspired.

Support - Motivational emails with recipes of the season, activity ideas, strategies for eating out, holiday entertaining and baking, etc.

What to Track and How to Win

_______ Do a min. of 20 minutes of physical activity for at least 30 of the 47 days. Email the number of days you were active along with your weekly weigh-in on Mondays.

_______Take a look at some of your less-than-optimal holiday habits and find a NEW behavior (i.e. drink a glass of water in-between each holiday beverage). Track this new behavior as applicable.

_______Email your weekly weigh-in on Mondays by Noon.

Complete at least 30 days of physical activity and you will be entered to win our prize drawing.

Weigh-ins begin Monday, November 12th - Martin 120

Tracking begins Monday, November 19th and runs through January 4th

For more information, contact Susan Drury-Rohner at druryroh@meredith.edu

Phone: (919) 760-8846 - Fax: (919) 760-2341 - wow@meredith.edu

3800 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27607-5298