joann's health&fitness blog

I was talking with a friend who is here for a week's vacation. She is determined not to gain weight during vacation, so she was skipping lunch, and had even passed up the granola bar the airline had offered for sustenance during the 3-1/2 hour flight. This has some logic to it--don't eat, don't gain weight. But it's wrong. If you go more than 3 or 4 hours without eating, your metabolism slows down and you burn off fewer calories. Also, you're more likely to be really hungry and pig out when that next meal comes. On vacation and at home, eat either 5-7 small meals a day (divide up your calories) or 3 meals and 2 snacks, whichever works for you. Note that you've probably gone longest without eating in the morning, so don't skip breakfast. Even if you don't need to lose weight right now, pay attention so you don't gain (unless you're skinny and that's your goal). On vacation, limit your sweet treats and stay active and you'll be fine.
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