Exercise and binge eating

Thanksgiving is donezo, which means holiday party season is in full swing and it's time to step up your fitness routine to ward off weight gain…right? Unfortunately, it's not that easy: Exercising during the holiday season doesn't prevent weight gain for most people, according to a recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 

For the study, researchers from Texas Tech University recruited 148 adults and measured their body mass index twice—once in mid-November 2012 and then again in early January 2013. Participants also reported how much they exercised during this two-month span. On average, people gained about 1.7 pounds, regardless of how much (or how little) they worked out. Bummer, right?

"People who exercise regularly may think that they can overindulge because they exercised," says study author Jamie Cooper, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of nutritional sciences at Texas Tech University. "It is so easy to eat a lot of calories during the holidays, and exercise simply cannot undo all that damage."

That doesn't mean you should ditch your exercise routine—but it does mean that you need to stay mindful of what you're eating, no matter how often you hit the gym. Because while it's OK to indulge once in a while, the only thing that should be completely stuffed this holiday is your stocking.

Don't get off track with your workouts! Try Shape-Up Shortcuts to add quick fitness bursts to your day!

More from Women's Health:
Don't Let Traveling Mess With Your Weight-Loss Efforts
6 Fun Ways to Stay Fit This Winter
Your Holiday-Themed Workout Playlist

 

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