With Thanksgiving upon us and Christmas and New Years’ right around the corner, it’s easy to get carried away with over-consuming food and drink during the holidays. Family and friends come together to enjoy each other’s company, have a few laughs and, perhaps, eat a slice or two of your mom’s delicious apple pie. These are cheerful times indeed, but it’s also important to remain balanced and practice moderation to prevent feelings of regret after the holidays. Heavy meals during the holidays contribute to rapid weight gain which can lead to stretch marks if it gets out of control. Managing your food portions is no easy task, but with a few pointers and words of motivation, you may just want to start your New Year’s resolution early.

Continue reading to learn what Biodermis, a leading innovator in post-operative care and scar management, has to say about healthy living and stretch marks during the holiday season.

Don't wait for your New Year's resolution

Having a New Year’s resolution is an ancient tradition that was first recorded roughly 4,000 years ago by the Ancient Babylonians. Their New Year’s resolution consisted of making promises to the gods that they will pay off any debts they had collected throughout the year. While paying off your debts is a noble resolution, it’s often not something most modern people think of as they kick off the New Year. Nowadays, many peoples’ New Year goals consist of losing weight, saving money, or quitting a bad habit, to name only a few.

Losing weight is a common resolution shared by many people in America today. But why wait until the New Year? Some studies show that an overwhelming majority of people who set a New Year’s resolution don’t follow through. If you are serious about cutting weight and being healthy, there really is no better time than now. And the first real step in your weight loss journey is to watch what you eat during the upcoming holidays. Follow the four steps below to get a good start on losing weight.

Don’t skip meals Skipping breakfast or lunch so that you can eat as much as possible during your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast is not the best way to lose weight. Eating low-calorie, high-fiber meals full of fruits and vegetables throughout the day will satiate your appetite. Then, come feast time, you won’t feel the need to eat as much.

Limit your portions. Limiting the amount of food you eat per meal is a sure way to consume fewer calories, and thereby lose weight. One best practice for eating small meals is to use a small plate. Small plates will encourage smaller portions sizes that are more appropriate for your diet.

Keep moving. One of the gravest mistakes people make after eating a hearty turkey or ham dinner is to lie on the couch and watch football (or whatever else you watch on the couch). The couch is a no-zone for people trying to lose weight. Instead, try taking a walk with your family or playing a game at the park. There really is no better way to burn off those extra calories than to keep your body active.

Take your time eating. The phrase “dig in” is most fitting during Thanksgiving and Christmas when a buffet of food is staring at you from the kitchen table. But eating isn’t a race and it’s always best to keep a steady pace and savor every bite. When you eat too quickly, your brain may not recognize that you’re full and then you go back for seconds. Eventually, you’ll hit a brick wall and, with a stomach ache, instantly regret eating three helpings of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy.

One of the common side effects of rapid weight gain is stretch marks, also known as striae. When the skin undergoes rapid changes from weight gain, pregnancy, or body-building, it is forced to stretch to compensate for those changes. This stretching is what causes microscopic tearing of the elastin fibers in the dermis, leading to small white scars know as stretch marks. Stretch marks most often form around the lower abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and chest. Though generally harmless, stretch marks can be unsightly and contribute to lower self-esteem.

When it comes to stretch marks, Biodermis can help. DermaSof Skin Repair Serum is specifically designed to repair skin damage from stretch marks, improve areas of uneven pigmentation, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and protect skin from the daily effects of moisture robbing dehydration. Unlike other products that claim to improve stretch marks, DermaSof harnesses the proven power of silicone for real results.

Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
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