What
is it about Christmas that leads us to put on weight? Alcohol? The
gym being closed? Chocolate? A lack of routine? All of these and
more?
I'm
wondering why Christmas has to be such a dangerous time for people
like me, who have clothes they can no longer fit into. Why can't we
stay healthy at these times? Furthermore, why can't we get into a
better shape during the Christmas period? Well, the short answer:
sugary and salty food fires up our brains' synapses, giving us a hit
of dopamine, a pleasure chemical. With each mouthful of tasty but
unhealthy food, the dopamine travels to the brain through a neural
pathway, and with each journey, that pathway is reinforced, meaning
the brain will rely on that journey to get pleasure: not other
journeys, or other forms of pleasure. Hence, it's important to enjoy
a range of other simple pleasures: family time, friend time, movie
time, book time. Whatever you like. Just not junk food.
The
gym might be closed, but we can always work out at home, or get
outside to walk or run. Most of us have time off, meaning more time
for exercise.
Food
over Christmas is a bone of contention to some people (although bones
are normally all that's left after Christmas meals). The average
Christmas meal is turkey (protein), sprouts (protein, vitamins C and
A), carrots (as above, with a wad of calcium) and potatoes (calcium,
potassium, vitamin C). It's all pretty healthy really. The only thing
spoiling that is the desserts, the chocolate selection boxes and the
alcohol. And when your dad's teetotal, there's no reason to drive on
family gatherings, which allows for a few scoops. So moderation is
key with lots of home workouts and self discipline.
I
was 82.6kg on Wednesday. Not ideal. I'd love to be at 77, and wearing
the suit trousers that currently don't fit. I'll check on my first
gym session of the new year, on the 2nd.
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