Holiday Season equals Weight Gain?

By Matt Arias

As we are all aware, the holiday season is practically upon us with Thanksgiving less than two weeks away.  On top of this, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are only a little over a month away, and the days are flying by.  Sure, this means plenty of shopping and preparation for parties, but it also means that extraordinary amounts of food are coming our way.  There is a common theory that the holiday season comes with joy, giving and receiving gifts, togetherness, and… weight gain.  This theory is one hundred percent correct.

The holiday season is the easiest time of the year to put on weight, and it’s easy to figure out why that is.  Countless holiday parties, New Year’s parties, a huge Thanksgiving meal and leftovers, there’s just food everywhere you look.  Here at Lasell, most students spend Thanksgiving at home, and most students certainly are home for winter break, which will include Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah this year.

“I’m nervous legit every year at this time,” said sophomore education major Kristen Castro.  “I mean, I know it’s up to me, but I never have enough will power to say no to delicious food!”

Everyone has the will power within them, it’s just a matter of being able to use it effectively.  When students are home, their weight is in their hands, but they will most likely be eating what their family is eating.  When they are here on campus, their weight is in their hands too, yet but Lasell counts with enough weapons for students to defend themselves against weight gain. Using these weapons advantageously could get students in a good, balanced, eating habit just in time for the holiday season. Making it easier to avoid the dreaded holiday weight gain.

Valentine Dining Hall, although often criticized for it’s food and lack of variety, does in fact offer plenty of healthy foods for all three meals of the day.  The salad bar is there and features two soups which change weekly.  The “Chef’s Fare” section of the cafe almost always offers chicken, vegetables,  and rice, among other things that are a much healthier alternative to the “Grille” section, which offers cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken patties.  But even at the “Grille” there are healthy alternatives, such as turkey burgers instead of  cheeseburgers.

There are also two gyms here on campus, the McClelland gym, located on the bottom floor of McClelland Hall, which is apart of the quad, and the Woodland gym, located beneath the cafeteria across from the mail-room.  Not to mention the athletic center, which is located right across from the cafeteria.  This athletic center is home to a basketball court, an indoor track, and a few exercising and dance rooms.  There is always the option of taking a run around the neighborhood, which is extremely conducive to taking long runs, too.

There are plenty of ways to stay in shape through November and early December. You can go into the break feeling confident, healthy and remain strong-willed while at home and avoid piling on the pounds.