Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Students don’t worry about holiday pounds By TAYLOR SMITH STAFF WRITER Commonly known as a time of giving, receiving and relaxing, the holiday season is also believed to be a time of significant weight gain, something USC students and some medical professionals believe to be a myth. “I am not that worried,” said Tiffany A. Butler, a first-year advertising student. “I have always been the same weight during holidays; there has been no fluctuation.” Butler said that she typically has not gained weight during holiday season, but she still has no worries because of the amount of food she receives here versus her home. “Here it is always available and at home you have to get it or cook it,” she said. i ne ineory or uov, meai pram grooming me appetites of student to eat more on the holidays, is not, however, accepted by Whitney Shell, a first-year pre-pharmacy student. The societal consensus has always asserted that holiday season is typically a time of weight gain, but that has been disproved by a number of studies and health professionals. An article by Jeanie Lerche Davis posted on webmd.com, said that weight gain typically associated with the holidays is not the feared 5 pounds society claims, but rather 1 pound that a person typically gains between September and March. Davis said that usually the trouble arises when people do not lose that pound and continue to gain another pound by the same time the next year, corroborated a study conducted by National Institutes of Health. Davis said that the under-eating before the holidays is ineffective and only leads to a loss of necessary water and carbohydrates that will stabilize over titne. She insists the best way to lose or maintain weight during the holidays is not to spend your available time relaxing and gorging, but rather exercising. Those who are not doing so are the people who are gaining more than 1 pound over the holidays. Brittney Simpson, a first-year pre-pharmacy student, said that she would be spending her time off this holiday season exercising rather than gorging and relaxing thereafter. “You might gain a little weight, but not a lot,” Simpson said. “Unless you go out and eat a hog everyday, then you should be all right.” Comments on this story? E-mail gapmocknews@gwm.sc.edu ..mmm —?gp | S To help keep things under control: ♦ Eschew the negative, guilt ridden thoughts about “these ♦ horrible extra calories." Enjoy the holiday dinner. ♦ Fix your traditional favorites — the stuffing, the pie — as you always have or you’ll feel cheated. Certain side dishes could lose a little fat, like the green bean casserole, candied yams, and Dunerea masnea potatoes, oreameu green beans, broccoli, mashed sweet potatoes, and unglazed carrots can fill in the gaps. ♦ Remember that you can eat pumpkin pie — any dessert — any month of the year. You don’t have to eat mass quantities on holidays. ♦ Meditate a bit on last year’s holidays. Remember how uncomfortable you felt when you stuffed yourself, how you just wanted that feeling to go away. ♦ Eat a little bit less than you otherwise might. Eat slower. Pick one dessert to treat yourself, rather than taste-testing all of them. * -4Q* ■ % ♦ Don’t sit around talking, watching TV or movies, or playing cards after the big dinner. Start a new holiday tradition. Incorporate physical activity into your get togethers with friends and family. Play charades or games, Ifarn a new dance step — anything that makes you move around Some. Jjj ♦ Take a walk after dinner — but don’t force anyone who’s overweight to" walk if they’re not used to it. • . ■ ♦ Don’t make the mistake of cutting fat in every holiday recipe. "You’ll end up feeing unsatisfied. And if a recipe doesn’t turn out that goody you end up really disappointed.’’ ♦ Remember that quality of life — enjoying life — is important. Part of that is maintaining good health by preventing disease. —Source: Jeanie Lerche Davis, webmd.com, 10/19/04 This Year < Bring them home something * other than your laundry for the holidays. I J With great s movies come is where for great ideas for your holidays. jPjygH Hair, Skin Care Treatments, Manicures and Pedicures Featuring cosmetics, skin care, men's toiletries, body scrubs and more I exclusively only to Seven Doors. SEVEN Eminence Organic Handmade Skin Care ■ Guy Gear p. p. p Relax Body Scrubs El El K o Seven Doors Cosmetics k French handmade soaps and bath I products Also offering SkinCeuticals, Jane Iredale ft Mineral Makeup, Goldwell and more fabulous products.' M Gift certificates available for Organic Facial I Treatments, manicures and pedicures. All USC students, faculty and staff I save 10% off all purchases with ID. m am Exclusively at ' 0R VEN DOORS I 1213 Hampton St. * 803.254.1507 J