“Don’t gain, maintain” during the holidays

There’s often a lot of delicious food around this time of year, which is good. We’re lucky to have enough food, but many people are fearful of holiday weight gain.

Staff members at Peninsula Regional Medical Center are working against this with their “Don’t Gain, Maintain” campaign. More than fifty of them did a weigh-in before Thanksgiving, and will do a second one after the New Year.

People who don’t gain any weight, or even lose some, will get a prize. The hospital’s exercise physiologist Caroline Farrell, is challenging others do to it on their own this season in an effort to stay healthy.

Farrell says, “It would be a good challenge to do within your household or even working somewhere else. For example, a group of office mates, or somebody that just wants to hold each other accountable. Sign off on it.”

Farrell says while out at holiday parties bring your own meal rather than filling up on party snacks. She also notes it’s important to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.