[This post was previously posted on FitbyTech.]

What are you eating for the holidays? Oh my. The chart above shows that of the 1.3 pounds average people will gain this year, half of that weight will be put on during the next six weeks.

Here’s what the article says.

Most people don’t gain weight overnight… it happens slowly, over years and decades. But the rate is uneven throughout the year and spikes dramatically during the holidays, a time when people tend to binge on all sorts of delicious holiday foods and eat much more than their bodies need.

The problem is that sometimes people don’t lose all the weight back. They might gain 3 pounds, but only lose 2 after the holidays are over, leading to slow and steady weight gain over time (11).

In fact, a large percentage of people’s lifetime weight gain can be explained just by the 6 week holiday period.

Crap. That’s amazing. I picked the right time this year to start my new program. I skipped right past the Halloween madness with great resolve. And I’m heading towards turkey-day with the same idea.  I’m going to have a piece of my favorite pumpkin pie. And that’s what I’m looking forward to on Thanksgiving day. And outside of that "reward" I am sticking to my plan. Sure I might have a snack or two, but the big holiday desserts and feasting is not going to be a part of my joyful season.

Gone are the afternoons trying to stay awake to watch the football because I’m so bloated and tired from the turkey and dressing. Nope. Let’s take this one season at a time. I’m starting now. And that 50% of my weight gain is going to be loss instead.

What are you going to do to keep from adding the holiday weight? The weather is colder, it’s harder to get motivated if you’re primary exercise is outdoors. I’ve got to keep getting creative about how to get moving and keep moving. And passing the peppermint ice cream night after night. Even a taste for me, would be a slip at this point. I am powerless over the holiday pink ice cream from local creamery, Blue Bell. My daughter craves it, so we’ve got a half gallon. But this year, it’s all hers.

I can imagine how much I love my pumpkin pie and that’s enough. I will admit the ice cream haunted me all night last night. I wanted a taste. I had an apple.

Take the next step,

John McElhenney

@fitbytech

References and Inspirations:

• A Prospective Study of Holiday Weight Gain – New England Journal of Medicine
• 12 Graphs That Show Why People Get Fat – Authority Nutrition
• Why Do We Overeat? A Neurobiological Perspective"Why Do We Overeat? A Neurobiological Perspective – Stephan Guyenet Ph. D.