Holiday Weight Gain

Holiday weight gain is a real thing but it doesn't have to be your thing. You can maintain or even lose weight during the holiday season. It is just another set of days strung together, just like any other time of year. You are still in control of what you put on your plate.

I am in no way saying that you should not enjoy holiday food if you want to. I am just saying you don't have to make an excuse to gain weight. "I gained 5 pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. I will just wait until after that to start tracking again." or "I am traveling so much, I have missed so many workouts. I will just wait until the New Year to get back to the gym."

Don't let the holidays derail your goals unless that is your goal. If your goal is to keep your health in check and maintain your current body composition, stay aware of your choices and the amount of movement you get throughout the day. If your goal is to continue to change your body composition, keep working on your plan the way you were.

It is a holiDAY, not a holiWEEK or a holiMONTH.

I will tell you, honestly, that traditional winter holiday food is not my favorite, but all the hot drinks with sugar, marshmallows, and yummy goodness are a weakness for me. I do my best to limit them to occasions where I really want them and they are made the most delicious way. Hot chocolate at home from a package isn't worth it to me anymore, the one at the coffee shop - the Mexican hot chocolate with the cayenne -- is worth the calories and all the fat grams. I am not perfect, I will never tell you to deprive yourself or restrict yourself. I will just ask you to think about your goals as you make choices.