How to shed the holiday weight

The holidays are over and you’re left with some presents, a lot of dishes and most likely a few extra pounds. So, how can you lose those holiday pounds?

One solution is more exercise.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health looked at how many calories the average American woman burns doing a variety of activities. Here are the results they discovered:

• Sitting: 79 calories per hour
• Cycling: 634 calories per hour
• Golfing: 301 calories per hour
• Swimming: 555 calories per hour
• Dancing: 380 calories per hour
• Running: 792 calories per hour

These forms of exercises are all good solutions to weight loss. However, don’t forget to account for other factors, such as your food intake and portion size, which are equally as important.

“Don’t go to holiday parties hungry,” said Sarah Chang, MD, an internist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Health. “Have a small, healthy snack before you go so you won’t be as tempted to watch your portion sizes.”

Dr. Chang also recommends starting a new family tradition to promote healthy living. This can include activities like taking long walks after a holiday meal or starting an afternoon basketball game.

Related: How to get better mileage from your meals

Simple exercises and food tips such as these can help jumpstart your holiday weight loss and enjoy the holiday season without regret.

If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t fall prey to common weight loss myths and misconceptions. Talk to your doctor to form a weight loss plan that works for you.

To learn more about how exercise can help you control your weight, visit hsph.harvard.edu and search for “physical activity.” For more information on the benefits of exercise, visit cdc.gov and search for “physical activity benefits.”