{"id":1649,"date":"2013-12-13T14:00:48","date_gmt":"2013-12-13T22:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=1649"},"modified":"2016-05-31T13:14:17","modified_gmt":"2016-05-31T20:14:17","slug":"minimize-holiday-weight-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/minimize-holiday-weight-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"No.1 Thing to Do to Minimize Holiday Weight Gain in Shape Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cristina Goynes wrote a great piece in Shape magazine on the benefits of water<\/b> when it comes to holiday weight gain<\/b>. I\u2019m thrilled to have been quoted. My contribution is about dehydration and the direct effect<\/b> this has on neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine<\/b>, leading to increased carb cravings<\/b> for a good mood and for an energy boost!<\/p>\n

The article is called the \u201cNo.1 Thing to Do to Minimize Holiday Weight Gain<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

Going into the scale-tipping season known as Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the typical mindset is to amp up workouts, cut calories, and stick to crudit\u00e9s at parties to dodge those extra holiday pounds. But who actually does that?<\/i><\/p>\n

This year, dare to be different<\/b>: Rather than take on unrealistic demands during an already stressful time, focus on only one thing<\/b> that will help you look better, feel less tempted by party food, have more energy, and brighten your mood. The answer is as simple as sipping more water.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

This is one of the water\/mood papers we used for the story: a 2012 animal study<\/a>\u00a0found that \u201cdehydration is able to reduce serotoninergic neurotransmission<\/b>, which might be involved in generating anxiety behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

This animal study<\/a> showed that dehyrdation also affects \u201cdopaminergic neurotransmission<\/b>\u201d leading to hyperactivity. Changes in dopamine can also affect concentration and focus<\/b> and lead to increased cravings for energy<\/b>.<\/p>\n

A 2011 study that looked at 24 females in their 20s\u00a0found that dehydration \u201cdegraded mood, increased perception of task difficulty<\/b>,\u201d lowered concentration<\/b>, and caused headaches<\/b>.<\/p>\n

A similar study looking at men, also in their 20s\u00a0found that mild dehydration<\/b> caused \u201cadverse changes in vigilance and working memory<\/b>,\u201d and increased tension, anxiety<\/b> and fatigue<\/b>.<\/p>\n

This Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution<\/a> will give you a clue about your serotonin and dopamine\/catecholamine levels <\/b>and this blog post on Winter blues, SAD, holiday stress and sugar<\/a>\u00a0will give you some insights into the winter blues<\/b>.<\/p>\n

When you get a serotonin and dopamine boost<\/b> it balances brain chemistry<\/b> so you don’t have to use willpower and you don’t feel deprived<\/b>! And you won\u2019t be drawn to sugary foods<\/b> and won\u2019t gain weight<\/b> over the holidays.<\/p>\n

Do read the rest of the SHAPE article here<\/a>\u00a0as it has practical information on how<\/p>\n