The holidays are a time for indulgent feasts and parties with bountiful booze. That's great, but if you want to keep off the resulting holiday weight gain, it's best to prepare. High intensity exercise before meals can give a much-needed metabolic boost.


The Strength Running blog cites this recent study from researchers in North Carolina that suggests 45 minutes of vigorous exercise increases your metabolic rate for 14 hours. Study participants burned an extra 190 calories throughout the day in addition to the 519 calories burned by their cycling activity (37% more calories).

By exercising harder (e.g., running faster) the day before or on Christmas, you can boost your metabolism in time for that big meal.


Strength Running writer Jason also recommends a long run the day after Christmas, as well as many other strategies for keeping the holiday weight gain to a minimum, such as eating protein at breakfast and doing 1-2 minute workouts throughout the day (per Tim Ferriss's The Four Hour Body).

How will you combat the holiday weight gain challenge?

Photo by Ed Yourdon.

The Runner's Eating Guide: 9 Tips for Keeping Off the Pounds this Christmas | Strength Running