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Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

How Long Did It Take Your Man to Get His Postpartum Body Back?

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:01:12 PST

David Beckham is one of the lucky ones! Just seven months after baby Harper's birth, the dad of four showed off (almost!) every inch of his toned and tattooed body in one of the steamiest ads to air during the Super Bowl. Wait . . . a postpartum dad showing off his body? Considering that the average dad-to-be adds 14 pounds to his frame during his wife's pregnancy, that's something to be commended! And while we usually talk about the lengths new moms go to lose the baby weight, only 30 percent of new dads say they actually diet with their partners to lose the sympathy weight, making the soccer superstar one of the few.

6 Reasons For Winter Weight Gain . . . and How to Avoid It

Jenny Sugar — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:14:54 PST

Are your jeans fitting a bit more snugly than usual? You may have Old Man Winter to thank for that. All that celebrating through the holidays is one reason the numbers on your scale may have increased, and here are six more ways Winter may cause the pounds to pack on even more, with tips for avoiding seasonal weight gain.

Source: Thinkstock and Flickr User David Leggett

Is It Hard to Stick to Your Diet Over the Holidays?

Leta Shy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:05:42 PST

Chances are you've been to a holiday party or two already. And besides the guaranteed drinks and merriment with your friends and family, there's another guarantee - the table of never-ending treats.

It can be hard to think about diet and exercise during a month chock-full of cookies, candy, and eggnog. I've asked my friends if it's been easy to stick to a diet as the holiday festivities ramp up, and most of them answer with a resounding, "No!" I'm the same; for me, the holidays mean less a focus on diet than ensuring I stick to a pretty normal workout routine (regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent holiday weight gain), so I don't feel a compelling need to limit myself when the treats roll by.

If you're having the same trouble staying with a diet plan, don't worry; we have some tried-and-true tips for staying healthy whether you're at a holiday party or if you're eyeing the food court while gift shopping. But if you've abandoned all hope until after New Year's Eve, you're not alone - after all, January's a big month for renewed diet resolutions for a reason, right? So tell us: do you conveniently forget about your diet plans over the holidays, or do you make sure you stick to your normal healthy eating plans?

The Five Unhealthiest Habits of the Holidays

Leta Shy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:36:21 PST

It's easy to forget about your health during the holidays, since you've got so much more on your mind. But instead of putting it off until January when healthy resolutions make their way back up to the top of your priorities, take time this month to ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle. How to do it? Make sure to avoid these five unhealthy habits.

Forgetting to sleep: Holiday schedules can mean something's got to give. If that means that your nightly sleeping session has dwindled substantially, it's time to reprioritize. Regular sleep helps keep your energy up, mind awake, and immune system functioning properly, so don't neglect your down time when days get busy. Follow these tips for getting a good night's rest.
Ignoring the danger of germs: Present deadlines loom, and that can mean more than a few days spent braving crowds - and the germs that come with them. In fact, places like doorknobs and escalator hand rails are just some of the potentially sickness-inducing surfaces. Makeup testers, fitting room clothes, and more can harbor nasty pathogens. Remember to wash your hands regularly, or carry hand sanitizer if you know you won't be able find a sink.

Read on for three more unhealthy holiday habits.

Nutrition Myths That Can Cause Weight Gain

Shape — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:04:23 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Myth: Going Vegan Will Make You Lose Weight
"While various research shows that vegetarians and vegans, on average, consume fewer calories and less fat than omnivores (a 2009 Oxford study found that vegetarians weigh 3 to 20 percent less than their meat-eating counterparts, and a National Cancer Institute study found that subjects who consumed four ounces or more of red meat weekly were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause than those who ate less), these numbers may be misleading," says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a certified nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition for You.

Going vegan solely for weight loss can backfire, big time. If you aren’t vigilant with a vegan diet, it’s easy to lack in vital nutrients, vitamins, and proteins, which give you energy and help keep your metabolism stoked. Many first-time vegans may also find themselves reaching for more processed foods like vegan cookies, chips, or even ‘ice cream’ more often with such a restricted diet, and many end up packing on the pounds instead.

If you do decide to adopt a vegan diet, be sure to keep the ‘treats’ to a minimum and plan balanced meals (we love ‘Domestic Vegan’ Diva Jessica Olson’s tips for "going veg"). "Aim to get about 10 to 20 percent of your calories from protein (or about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight), replacing animal protein with healthy plant proteins, like those found in beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products," Batayneh says. "And, whether you are vegan or not, eating more green, leafy vegetables is great for your health and your waistline."

See which other diet habits may also being causing weight gain after the break!

Prevent Holiday Party Weight Gain With 3 Must Dos

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:13:39 PST

Everyone's approach to beating holiday weight gain differs. Some amp up the exercise time, while others simply give in to the extra noshing and stick to clothing with elastic waistbands. Regardless of your philosophy, the abundance of holiday parties, full of rich foods and fancy cocktails, is a major reason the numbers on the scale often go up. Keep these three tips in mind at your next shindig, and hopefully you can prevent your waistline from expanding this season.

Don't Show Up Famished or Empty Handed
Before heading out the door, snack on something filling like a banana with peanut butter, a pear with some almonds, or some whole grain crackers with hummus. Combining fiber and protein in a sack is satiating, so you won't arrive famished and end up making a meal out of appetizers. To show your hosts some appreciation for throwing the party, it's nice to bring along a present; but instead of the usual bottle of wine, prepare a healthy dish or dessert to complement the meal. Not only will party-goers appreciate the gesture, but you'll know at least one thing on your plate is good for you. This chard, avocado, and asparagus quinoa makes a great side dish, and a batch of healthier holiday cookies are often a nice addition as well.

Continue reading for two more tips to help prevent holiday party weight gain.

Hilary Swank Talks Holiday Weight Gain and Elastic Waistbands

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:27:07 PST

Once Oct. 31 rolls around and not until the last day of the year, Hilary Swank isn't one to turn away scale-tipping holiday foods. Her secret to staying slim during the holiday season is no secret at all, because she tells Us Weekly:

"Eat away! Starting on Halloween, all the way through New Year's, I'm eating. That's why elastic waistbands are a must. So that you can eat a lot and let it stretch a little bit. You've got to have the elastic, and I think sparkles are always good for the holidays."

With all the high-calorie goodies and festive frothy drinks, it's hard to resist temptation, so I give in a little, too. When it comes to all the holiday fare, do you take it all in (heck, it's only one time of the year, right?) or do you strictly stay on track with healthy eating?

Tips and Tricks For Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:17:13 PST

When Friday rolls around, my weekend begins. I often celebrate by having friends come over for dinner or meeting them for a bite to eat. It's a great way to unwind from the busy week, but constantly letting loose on the weekends also means you might need to buy looser pants! Here are some tips for enjoying the weekend without derailing your diet.

Weigh yourself twice a week - either Friday and Monday a.m. or Thursday and Monday a.m. There's nothing better to keep you on track than knowing that you have to face the scale come Monday morning.
Eat healthy throughout the day if you know you'll be splurging at night. Focus on eating meals that are packed with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Then you can feel good about going overboard for dinner.
Don't starve yourself to save calories for later. It'll not only mess up your metabolism, but by dinner time, that famished feeling will likely cause you to eat more than you would if you weren't starving.
Have a healthy snack before heading to a big brunch or dinner. It'll take the edge off your hunger.
Know what you're going to order before you go out to eat. That way you're less tempted by the plethora of choices.
Limit the martinis and cosmos. Alcohol is a diet double-whammy; it’s not only rich in calories itself, but it also reduces inhibitions and increases appetite. So stick to the one-drink-a-day rule.

There are other great tips, so read more.

When You're Upset, Do You Tend to Gain or Lose Weight?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:21:57 PDT

Life can feel like a roller coaster at times and when dealing with breakups, fights with your best friend, the chronic illness of a family, your emotions can affect your appetite. When deeply upset, some people reach for ice cream, cake, and chips all at once to comfort themselves, while others may feel so depressed, they push their dinner plates away. Even celebs aren't immune to how life's events affect the scale. I'm curious, how does being upset affect your eating habits and, subsequently, your weight? If you tend to gain, here are some tips to help you stop emotional eating.