Could Yoga Help Stop Holiday Weight Gain?

A little bit of decadence is hardly a bad thing

One of the most dominant aspects of the holidays is the endless array of sweet, salty snacks and lots of alcohol. Which basically translates into everything indulgent and unhealthy. Nevertheless, despite all the happy memories of getting together with family and friends. There’s a reason why we only engage in these activities once a year. Which is that all this pleasure could eventually kill us in the end, literally.

Can an ounce of prevention brought on by a fitness regimen be accomplished without much effort?

Absolutely, and better yet it’s incredibly low impact and involves zero cardio.

What exactly is this slow yet effective fitness routine?

Yoga

What type of activity does a yoga routine entail?

The wonderful thing about yoga is that it can be done by anyone regardless of age, physical fitness or disability. Muscle stretching while posing and stretching the body in numerous positions for minutes at a time combined with heavy breathing is the entire routine in a nutshell.

Any variations to the routines would be the difficulties in the positions as the individual’s muscles strengthen thus increasing their flexibility. This progress of gaining strength is far from the only reason why so many individuals who regularly practice yoga strive to progress to the next level.

It is possible to age gracefully as oppose to viewing the coming years as a time of decline

One of the dominant benefits of engaging in yoga is the ability to age gracefully. Even though yoga cannot claim to stop the ageing process completely, at the very least it can certainly slow it down.

How is this accomplished?

Through keeping muscles in motion while at the same time being adjusted to suit the individuals ageing body. After all, there is a difference between getting a good work out and straining muscles which could ultimately lead to serious injuries.

Not to worry you will lose weight

Before getting into any of yoga’s many benefits let’s go to the main event that everyone’s been waiting for, yes it will keep the weight down. It’s hardly rocket science how this is accomplished. On the contrary, this attribute is the main cause of looking great, increasing one’s metabolism. While at the same time increasing flexibility and muscle strength.

Plus, it’s highly compatible with rough winter weather being that it doesn’t require any gym memberships or the need to even leave home. Which brings up yoga’s other benefit, heightened athletic performance. This could certainly come in handy when the weather improves and getting outside for a jog or a trip to the gym once again becomes a viable option.

Wouldn’t that come in handy when the holiday’s come to an end and swimsuit season comes along?

Could the benefits of yoga truly be worth it?

Without a doubt, yoga will help keep the weight off, but just because someone looks healthy on the outside doesn’t mean they truly are in great shape. After being thin doesn’t always equal great health. That’s when the benefits of yoga truly come into play.

Nothing can put a damper on holiday fun faster than the flu which as everyone knows will most likely go after its victim’s respiratory system first. The deep breathing and slow stretching muscle movements that are at the heart of the routine will help the body to develop an immunity when it comes to respiratory ailments.

Now doesn’t that sound a bit more palatable than cold and flu medication loaded with alcohol which will do nothing more than make things worse since they come with a compulsory loopy feeling?

Perhaps yoga’s low impact approach could put an end to the infamous holiday weight gain all together?

That could quite possibly be the case as a result of its low impact and relaxation techniques. Thereby making the chances of strained muscles or any other kind of injury resulting from yoga would be highly unlikely.

Time could also play a big part in yoga turning into much more than a trend, but a lifestyle

Most yoga instructors agree that 30 min – 1 hour 3 times per week would be an ideal routine to develop in order for a yoga session to be fully effective. However, most of them have also agreed that if 15-20 is all that can be devoted to each workout per week they would be fine too.

Given the high amount of calories consumed during the holiday season. The time and effort an individual puts toward yoga could be deciding factor as to whether or not keeps holiday weight gain to a minimum or gets rid of it all together.

In the case of yoga, its positive qualities could make the effort and dedication required to be worthwhile.

 

Mary Thompson