Weekly Healthy Advice From VÄXA

As fall spreads a chill over much of the country, one thing on many minds is sugar. Starting on Halloween and spreading straight through to Valentines Day, America's love-affair with sugar reaches an all-time high during the fall and winter months. It's no strange coincidence that people commonly gain weight through the winter months, too.

It's common knowledge that it's much, much harder to lose weight than it is to gain it. The millions of overweight Americans who struggle just to get their body mass index out of the obese range can confirm at times even a 10-percent weight loss seems like an insurmountable goal.

If you struggle with weight, one of the best ways to get a handle on the situation is to keep a food journal. If you take a single bite, make sure you write it down. Once you put your eating habits under close scrutiny, you may be surprised to see how often and how much you're eating. Especially keep a close eye on how much sugar you're eating or drinking in your favorite sodas and sports drinks. These empty calories can add up to quick weight gain.

If you are an outdoors person, try to keep moving during the cooler months. Even if you have to throw on a jacket, remember how important walking and exercise are to your general health and your weight management.