Mannatech member for 7 weeks 2 days Send a message

Thanksgiving is just around the corner … those interested in avoiding holiday weight gain are preparing themselves for the caloric enticements they’ll be faced with throughout the end of the year. To help your online readers prepare for healthy holidays, please consider sharing the following five tips to avoid holiday weight gain. These recommendations were written by Dr. Robert Sinnott, MNS, chief science officer of Dallas-based Mannatech, Inc.

1) Set up good habits in advance of the holidays
Habits take a while to master before they become part of our routine operating nature. Anticipating that this adaptation period will be at least four weeks, it is important to get our good habits rehearsed by December. So, start now before the social peer-pressure begins.

2) Do not skip meals
You cannot make up for a triple helping of Thanksgiving dinner by not eating all day. As a matter of fact, fasting for more than a few hours will put your body into conservation mode, which means that as soon as you start eating again, the excess calories will be converted into body fat for long-term storage. So, that 3,000 calorie Thanksgiving dinner can end up as 300 grams (2/3 lbs.) of fat on your frame. Rather, eat sensible meals with less than 500 calories every four hours while awake and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

3) Don’t let guilt knock you off the wagon
Okay, so you had some cookies or cake that wasn’t part of your weight management plan. Don’t quit! Some people may take a simple overindulgence or two as an opportunity to give up entirely until after the holidays. We have all seen or done it ourselves. Just remember, it’s not what you do on one day that matters, it’s what you do every day that matters!

4) Don’t be sedentary
Extra calories plus a sedentary lifestyle is double trouble. In addition to controlling your food and drink intake, maintain some degree of healthy exercise. It really doesn’t take much: a brisk walk around a couple of city blocks or a lap around the mall while shopping count as exercise. Not only will the exercise help burn calories, it will help relieve stress, preserve skeletal muscle mass and reduce cardiovascular health risk. (Also, resist stopping at the food court to “recharge.”)

5) De-stress in less than four minutes
Holidays are paradoxically both happy and stressful times. The stress response in our bodies will increase production of hormones such as cortisol that can, among other things, damage our immune system and increase weight gain. During the stressful times, stop and take a few moments to decompress with some simple deep breathing exercises. Close your eyes and count five seconds while breathing in and five seconds while breathing out. Repeat this about 20 times as often as you need daily, and it will help temporarily reprogram your autonomic nervous system. You don’t need to be a monk to master this simple but incredibly effective meditation technique.

To get a jump start on a New Year’s resolution to lose fat, Mannatech has just introduced OsoLean™, an all-natural whey protein powder that has been shown in a clinical study to help target fat loss and spare lean muscle*. Key differentiators of this new product include the ability to mix it with many foods and beverages, the inclusion of protein and calcium from milk, and its formulation through a patented process. More information on OsoLean™ powder, including recommended diets for women and men, can be found here: http://www.mannatechosolean.com

For additional tips from Dr. Sinnott to maintain a healthy lifestyle, please visit http://www.allaboutmannatech.com/ask-dr-sinnott/.

About Dr. Robert Sinnott
Robert A. Sinnott, M.N.S., Ph.D. joined Mannatech in August 2005 to serve as our Chief Science Officer and Vice President. In November 2006, Dr. Sinnott was promoted to Senior Vice President. Dr. Sinnott has held scientific positions in both industry and government over the past 15 years and has more than 12 years of experience in life sciences, chemistry and biotechnology. He also founded Larrea BioSciences Corporation. From 1997 to 2003, Dr. Sinnott was a founding team member and Chairman of Biotechnology and Agribusiness for the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Sciences Center at South Mountain Community College. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Sinnott founded and served as Research Director of Gaiaventures, Ltd., a scientific consulting firm. Dr. Sinnott earned his B.S. degree in Botany, an M.N.S. in Natural Science and a Ph.D. degree in Plant Sciences from Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona. During graduate school, Dr. Sinnott’s primary focus was plant medicinal chemistry and plant biotechnology, and his 1995 dissertation research focused on agricultural biotechnology of economic plants including the aloe vera plant.

About Mannatech
Mannatech, Incorporated is a global wellness solutions provider of innovative, high-quality, proprietary dietary supplements, skin care products and weight and fitness products sold through independent associates and members located in the United States and the international markets of Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Denmark, Germany, South Africa and Singapore. For more information please visit www.mannatech.com or www.allaboutmannatech.com.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.