Why holiday weight gain: 4 non-obvious reasons

If your vacations are connected with constant movement, you should not worry. In order not to get better on May holidays, it is enough to go hiking, trekking, biking. Everyone else should definitely look into the reasons for possible weight gain.

Alexandra Puriga

MD, sports doctor, sports expert, head of the Strengthening direction

Tells about the causes of rapid weight gain during the holidays.

Social jetlag

On weekends and holidays we can sleep longer, forgetting that waking up two hours later triggers the same circadian rhythms as traveling to a different time zone.

We depend on the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Waking up late not only disrupts our eating patterns, but also generally affects the production of sex hormones, which directly affects our overall physical condition and appetite.

What to do? The first condition is to maximize the preservation of the usual mode of sleep and wakefulness. It is desirable to fall asleep and wake up at the same time. At the same time, it is important that sleep lasts no more than 8 hours.

What to do? Control the intake of food, giving preference to fresh vegetables and greens. Choose dietary dishes – for example, meat and fish. You should also avoid sauces and other snacks. If it is difficult to control the periods of food intake, you can focus on three or four-hour intervals. Eat, set an alarm on your phone until the next meal, and until then – rest, socialize with friends, drink water.

Alcohol

Firstly, alcoholic beverages are quite caloric, and secondly, in most people they provoke appetite. Consumption of alcohol is often accompanied by eating snacks.

What to do? Limit the amount of alcohol. The lowest-calorie non-strength drinks are champagne and white wine. The plus is that they can be diluted with water or ice without significant loss of flavor. Mojitos are considered the most diet-friendly cocktail, again because of the low calorie content of the ingredients and the large amount of ice. Drink more regular drinking water.

Low motor activity

If your work or daily activities involve motor activity, you’ll want to take a break from activity over the weekend. Passivity along with the above reasons can lead to excess weight. But, as a rule, sharply gained pounds over the weekend – this is an accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which on the body manifests itself in the form of edema.

What to do? Only physical activity and a limited diet can save you from this. Give preference to those types of motor activity that cause you positive emotions – walking, dancing, cycling. If you can spare some time, sign up for a massage and lymphatic drainage procedures.