TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report
by Brazos Minshew, TriVita’s Chief Science Officer
How to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays
November 21, 2009 – www.trivita.com/13295706
In the movie, The Perfect Storm a series of weather fronts plus a hurricane collide off the coast of Massachusetts. The crew of the ship Andrea Gail failed to anticipate how severe the storm was and also didn’t heed the warnings of other ships regarding the need for a different course of action. The results were disastrous and now the term “perfect storm” has come to symbolize multiple, unanticipated stresses leading to personal disasters.
Following this line of thought, winter time in North America (and elsewhere) is a perfect storm of weight management disasters: holiday-related overeating, a seasonal drop in exercise, and a winter-time decline in sun exposure, leading to a drop in Vitamin D.
Seasonal Change Equals Stress
The most accurate definition of stress to our body and mind is change – any change. This is because changes require us to use our precious resources to adapt rather than to repair. Also, changes in our routine often mean that we make fewer “deposits” into our physical and emotional wellness accounts in terms of adherence to The 10 Essentials. Fewer deposits and more withdrawals mean a reduced quality of life and health. What’s more, the dietary “deposits” we often make during holiday celebrations often include foods low in nutrients and high in toxicity.
So, the first strategy to avoid holiday overeating is to maintain your healthy routine in terms of diet, exercise and rest. Why? Because these strategies help us reduce the impact of stress and the squandering of our nutrient reserves. You see, cravings are often a form of communication from your body that it is running out of the vitamins and minerals, proteins and fats it needs to function. To avoid insatiable cravings be sure to take your Healthy Aging nutrients and keep the nutrient density of your foods high and the toxicity (caused by sugar, etc.) low.
Leanology shakes provide high quality proteins and Leanology nutritional chews contain specific fats to help turn off hunger signals and to help thwart cravings. Also fortifying us against the destructive influences of stress are Adaptogens. These plant-derived nutrients pull us back together as stress pulls us apart!
Wintertime Blues
A special weight-loss nutrient is Vitamin D. Most people would make enough Vitamin D with 20 minutes of sunshine morning and evening with 40% of their skin exposed to the sun’s rays. (Never allow yourself to get sunburned.) Vitamin D also acts as a weight loss nutrient by balancing the blood sugar, reducing your appetite and improving human metabolism. This essential vitamin also improves your immune system.
People are exposed to less sunshine during the wintertime. This problem becomes worse the further north we go because of the shorter winter days in northern latitudes. Add the extra sun-blocking-layers of clothes to combat cold temperatures to the use of Vitamin D-blocking sunscreen and it is easy to see why people overeat, gain extra weight and even suffer seasonal illness because of a compromised immune system during the winter.
To combat these very real circumstances that result in weight gain during the holidays we simply must take supplemental Vitamin D. Leanology caps contain 750 IU of Vitamin D per six capsules. I suggest taking six capsules daily to supply a minimum level of Vitamin D during winter and to curb the appetite.
Conclusion
There are stressful realities we must admit that lead us to winter time weight gain. These include less sun exposure, more recreational meals, less exercise and rest and more emotional distress. We can combat these health-threats by keeping a normal, sane routine of sleep, diet and exercise. We can also use Healthy Aging nutrients as well as Adaptogens to combat stress overeating. We can use Leanology protein and the special fats found in Leanology appetite control chews as well as the extra boost of Vitamin D from Leanology caps to control cravings and out-of-control appetite. This strategy should allow us to come through the stressful holiday season with fewer physical and emotional illnesses and greater wellness. It’s the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season!
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Take Control of Your Health
•Get your sleep – the less you sleep, the more you will weigh.
•Get as much sunshine as possible.
•Keep a daily exercise routine.
•Select better foods and smaller portions.
•Take Foundational Nutrients.
•Add Adaptogens, Leanology protein and Leanology chews as needed.
•Take Leanology capsules for extra Vitamin D.
Learn More…
•Understanding Seasonal Effective Disorder
•Holiday Exercise: Make it a Pleasure, Not a Pain
•Holiday Eating: It’s About Enjoyment, Not Guilt
Upcoming Weekly Wellness Reports…
•Managing Cholesterol
•Exercise Helps Your Brain
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
© 2009 TriVita, Inc.
