HHS HealthBeat (November 27, 2012)

Surviving the holidays

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

During the holidays, the fun goes on and the limits go off – which can explain why the weight goes up. The rest of the year, we don’t usually eat and drink so much, and spend quite so much time partying and shopping, which can eat into time for exercising.

But the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Dr. Griffin Rodgers, says bringing balance back into your life can help to continue the fun while preventing at least some of the weight. It just takes some planning:

“Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity. And if you do overindulge in eating too much, don’t be too hard on yourself. Get back on track at the next meal.”

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 27, 2012