Eat, Drink and Watch Your Heart Rate Monitor

‘Tis the season, and if you’ve gone off your usual diet of healthy foods to partake of holiday treats, you are not alone! How will holiday eating and drinking affect your heart rate? We asked Dr. Alinda Perrine, a nationally- recognized master trainer who specializes in applying heart rate data to fitness training.

“The process of digestion raises your heart rate, while certain foods and drinks with caffeine can also elevate heart rate for many people. Alcohol is a depressant and affects people differently; it can either raise or lower your heart rate. But even one or two glasses of wine can cause dehydration, which is an important factor to consider when exercising,” she explains. “Dehydration typically yields a higher than normal heart rate, so be conservative in your workout and drink plenty of water. Your body needs to recover. Use your heart rate monitor as your guide and watch to see when you return to your normal beat per minute.”

Alinda also suggests that a little “ho ho ho” is good for your heart, your head, and often your training. “Jolliness and laughter lower your heart rate and create special chemicals in the brain that bring a sense of peace,” she says. “A break in your training routine, referred to as ‘regeneration,’ gives you a new starting platform. You will quickly regain or surpass your original fitness level, as your body rejuvenates quickly.”

Her advice for fitness-conscious holiday merrymakers? “Set a specific date to return to your fitness routine. Then enjoy the ho ho ho!”

To check out our latest heart rate monitor gear, click here!