Group Avoids Holiday Weight Gain

 

Some are exercising a little more.  Others are eating a little less. Some are doing both. But they all have the same goal: not gaining any weight over the holidays.

A group of nearly 40 employees at Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is participating in the County’s “Maintain Don’t Gain” holiday campaign.

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, they pledged to support each other to keep their weight in check. The holiday temptations are many, but their efforts are working.

“The group is doing pretty good,” said Michael Tarrach, the leader of the group and member of the County’s Wellness Champions team.

“We usually have a lot of potlucks during the holidays. They are pickier about what they are eating. They are consuming smaller portions,” added Tarrach, an administrative analyst with BHS.

Tarrach said he walks, bikes or goes to the gym every day because he does not want to gain any of the 100 pounds he’s lost in the last 15 months.  He says “everyone seems to be on track,” including himself.

“I check what I am eating. I try to exercise at least one hour a day,” Tarrach said.

Administrative Analyst Velia Fematt has also managed to not gain back any of the 30 pounds she’s lost in the last five months.

What is she doing? She is watching what she eats and exercising a little more.

“It’s working with moderation, and by eating foods high in protein and low in carbs,” said Fematt, who walks about 10 miles per week with another member of the group and goes to the gym on a regular basis with friends.

“My main goal is to maintain my weight during the holidays and continue with my health goals in the New Year,” added Fematt, who would like to lose 10 more pounds in 2014. “I do indulge occasionally – but it is a planned indulgence.”

Stephanie Wells, also an administrative analyst with BHS, is keeping a close eye on her weight to make sure she does not gain any pounds over the holidays.

“I weigh myself every day. If I notice an increase, I immediately cut back calories,” said Wells.

She is also eating more salads, fewer sweets and being more physically active.

“I walk up three hills with my dogs and pedal 10 miles a day on my stationary bike,” Wells said, adding that she is also planning not to eat anything after 6 p.m. 

“We’re very focused at BHS. We bring healthy snacks, have replaced birthday cakes with cheese and bread or fruits and bagels,” Wells said. “We also have walking clubs. These are ways that we support each other in maintaining, not gaining.”