If you're trying to avoid gaining weight during the holidays and the days after, research reveals an interesting way!
A study published in the academic journal Obesity claims that this could be all it takes to lose weight during and after the holidays, taking just 1 minute a day.
It's as simple as stepping on the scale once a day as soon as you wake up, according to the research journal Study Finds.
And according to experts, weighing yourself every day early in the morning right after waking up, after going to the bathroom, before drinking water, is ideal.
Sumptuous meals are an important part of the holidays, but this also leaves many people with a few extra pounds after the holiday.
Scientists at the University of Georgia (USA) conducted a test on 111 people aged 18 - 65. Participants were asked to try their best not to gain weight, in addition, they were not given any additional instructions on how to avoid gaining weight.
They were divided into two groups: One group weighed themselves every day for 14 weeks, starting before the holidays and ending when the holidays were over. And a control group that did not weigh themselves every day.
Interestingly, by the end of the study period, all of those in the self-weighing group had successfully avoided gaining weight over the holidays, with some even losing a few pounds, according to Study Finds.
In contrast, those in the control group gained weight.
Why does weighing yourself help avoid weight gain?
Just step on the scale once a day
Researchers speculate that constantly seeing numbers increase in their own weight relative to their goal encouraged participants to stay on their diet.
When they see their weight gain, they may exercise a little more or eat a little less the next day, explains study author Jamie Cooper, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Georgia.
These results further confirm the theory that people become particularly motivated when faced with specific numbers about changes to their bodies and appearance, says co-author Michelle vanDellen, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Georgia.
People are really sensitive to increasing numbers of the present relative to a standard or goal, Ms. vanDellen explains.
When people see this increase, they tend to change their behavior. Weighing themselves daily will help people make clear adjustments.
This strategy works at any time of year, but the holidays are a time when people overeat, so the authors wanted to conduct the study at this time.
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