Question of The Day: Holiday Weight Gain

By DB
@dgobucks226 (34132)
November 20, 2018 12:27pm CST
With the start of the holiday season I thought this question is appropriate. Do you wind up gaining weight over the holiday period from Thanksgiving to New Years? Or are you one of the lucky few whose diet remains under control over the holidays. In my case I always gain, with the most overeating from Christmas to New Years day. According to research I found, the 10 day period after Christmas is when most of the weight gain occurs. I found that fact very interesting? Perhaps to many holiday cookies and treats I guess.... Anyway, how does one overcome these unhealthy holiday eating habits? Do you have any advice to lose the added weight, or do you just continue to expand your waistline year after year? Source-Best Life Photo- foodnetwork.com
24 people like this
28 responses
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
20 Nov 18
I think the best thing I decided on, was doing a little change up on one of my husbands holiday traditions. His mom use to make buckets upon buckets of cookies (she passed away long before I even met my husband). He kept that tradition... but it made no sense to me, kinda. Like why bake them all at once, and eat them only over a few days??? Moderation is like the key!!! So, I started a 25 days of baking, after learning how to bake... and just had fun experimenting. Eating a few cookies every day, in moderation is much better than over indulgence. I also like using healthier alternatives. Like using apple sauce and healthy fruits in place of butter. Cutting back on the amount of sugar and balancing flavors by using high protein nuts.
5 people like this
• United States
21 Nov 18
i like this 25 days of baking idea, very cool!
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
23 Nov 18
Now that is such a refreshing idea and definitely a twist on making Holiday goodies
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
21 Nov 18
@isweartokira Its a lot of fun plus it gives more wiggle room to make things that are healthier and different. Like we may make Santa salads. The baking part is making the croutons to put on top! :)
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Nov 18
After that one day of feast I get rid of it, cant eat i if its not there. This year I refuse to gain weight, not even a pound.
5 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
23 Nov 18
That is a great solution Andria. I actually saw that same suggestion mentioned online
3 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58487)
• Germany
20 Nov 18
I`m the one who can control my food eating
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
So true! Not saving those leftovers would be a helpful way to control my overeating. Easier said than done, lol.
1 person likes this
• Germany
25 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 Oh That`s true. It needs a lot of self discipline and control
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
27 Nov 18
@m_audrey6788 I think so too
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
20 Nov 18
I do not have any problem with this. Many do.But lucky for me.The waist stay the same.
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
23 Nov 18
Do you have a regular exercise routine that keeps your waistline in shape over the holidays? Do you save a lot of leftovers from Thanksgiving?
2 people like this
@Kasjnak (4493)
• Romania
20 Nov 18
You know, that picture is such a tease! I gain some weight on holidays, but not as much as I would like. I am skinny, I need more! And it goes away pretty quickly... I know many people want to lose some weight, I have the opposite problem. And now I'm hungry .
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Ha, ha! Sorry about that... If you could only eat the picture I posted. What a feast! I bet many with tummy aches wish they had your problem
1 person likes this
@Kasjnak (4493)
• Romania
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 got a steak a few hours ago, it should do it . Still waiting for the trays I ordered almost two weeks ago, if they come, I'll cook something .
1 person likes this
• Rupert, Idaho
20 Nov 18
Oh I usually gain lol...I go off of my low carb diet usually over the holidays so my blood sugar and weight goes up.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
I can relate completely. So much temptation! And New Year's resolutions don't work for me. It usually takes springtime to snap me out of my poor eating habits.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
@MommyOfEli2013 Freezing those Christmas cookies to have with my tea during wintertime is a big part of my weight gain struggles.
1 person likes this
• Rupert, Idaho
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 Oh wow, all the way into spring? I am usually the same way though...unless I get a handle on things before they get out of control haha
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110603)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Nov 18
Don't worry bout it. After Xmas is when winter really kicks in and when it's cold we eat more. Maybe eatin more soups would help, I dunno.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Yep, winter and being indoor more always causes me to overeat. I try to eat more salads and fruit to combat my urges...
1 person likes this
@skysnap (20154)
21 Nov 18
I am trying to reduce the weight lately. And it seems winter is the time I gain the most weight.
3 people like this
@skysnap (20154)
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 yeah it's like gain now and spend time to get it out for entire next year.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Me too and I don't get rid of that extra weight till springtime
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (453792)
• Switzerland
21 Nov 18
I eat very little during the whole month of December, I usually arrive to Christmas with a few pounds less than in summer. As soon as the holidays are over I only eat fruits, vegetables and lean fish for a couple of weeks. I never keep the extra pounds.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (453792)
• Switzerland
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 The traditional North Italian cake is extremely difficult to make and to bake in a household oven, but I make a Swiss cake for Christmas, it's called "Bûche de Noël" (Yule Log). It is made of sponge cake filled with a chocolate mousse and it is shaped to resemble a miniature Yule log. I will prepare several traditional dishes, my husband likes fish a lot, surely I will make tortellini, scallops in a saffron sauce, lobster with mayonnaise and smoked salmon with dill bread.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
@LadyDuck Expect one more for your holiday Christmas feast Wow, what a terrific menu Anna! We have persimmon pudding, homade cheese cake (Mom's recipe), pumpkin pie and of course a pre-Thanksgiving dinner antipasto. Recently we have added meat & rice balls to the menu. Fortunately, we have the whole weekend to sample them all, lol. Christmas time we bake a wide variety of cookie favorites.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Knowing how you enjoy baking do you make any traditional holiday treats? How does you husband fare over the holidays? Does he have your dietary willpower, lol? Limiting unhealthy food items is definitely a smart way to avoid those extra pounds.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
20 Nov 18
I'm not a great eater, so the weight gain is minimal.
3 people like this
@sallypup (57193)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Nov 18
Its hard, for me at least, to stop eating sugar once I start it. I plan on making sugar cookies for Christmas and that's it. I used to make several kinds. We're not eating the average Thanksgiving food so no worrying there. Weight just piles on too easily.
3 people like this
@sallypup (57193)
• Centralia, Washington
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 I think the metabolism slows.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
I know what you mean. I go through this holiday weight gain every year and as I age it gets harder and harder to lose that weight
1 person likes this
@Dyvette16 (4301)
• United States
20 Nov 18
That looks so delicious, I am ready to have that in my belly . I would say I gain about 1-2 pounds but not too much since I stay on my feet daily . I don’t mind it though , it is thanksgiving, giving thanks for being able to eat a meal like this , amen
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Yes, you are right about Thanksgiving. Great to enjoy a great meal with all the trimmings! Staying on your feet is a good way to control gaining those extra pounds
1 person likes this
@Dyvette16 (4301)
• United States
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 yes very very much !
1 person likes this
@Icydoll (36725)
• India
21 Nov 18
I can control eating food ..I can avoid all sweet stuff
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
I need your self-control Icydoll, lol.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65287)
• Serbia
20 Nov 18
As we grow older, we need to control what we eat more and more. Because as we grow older, our metabolism slows down and everything we eat begins to thrive and turn into fat.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Yes, the weight gain you experience in one holiday season can add up from one season to the next and so on and so forth. Within a few years, you’ll really see the pounds accumulate especially as we get age. Staying active and having a regular exercise routine is one way to avoid excessive weight gain.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65287)
• Serbia
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 I agree with you.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157281)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Nov 18
I will never overcome unhealthy eating habits. I eat what I want. I am retired and have no reason to restrict myself from eating what I like. I'm going to die at some point anyway. Why not eat as I please?
2 people like this
@just4him (302332)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov 18
I heard something interesting this morning on the radio. The DJ said the normal calorie intake on Thanksgiving with added helpings, appetizers and all you eat throughout the day - 3000 calories. That's a mega lot of calories. I weighed myself this morning so I would know what my pre-Thanksgiving weight was. I have no plans to overeat tomorrow. We'll see what happens.
1 person likes this
@just4him (302332)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 It's a lot of calories for sure. I did well on Thanksgiving. No sweets. So, I know my calories weren't a bust. I hope you can contain yourself for Christmas.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Wow, that's very close to 1 pound of fat!!! Good thing we don't eat like that on a daily basis, lol. I usually keep a regular exercise routine which helps me over the Thanksgiving holiday. But those Christmas cookies get me every time
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
27 Nov 18
@just4him Thanks Valerie. It will just take some willpower, lol.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Nov 18
Ah yes, I tend to gain, too
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
26 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 Ah yes, you can't let the treadmill have all the fun by itself
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
26 Nov 18
Yep, that treadmill in my basement will be getting a workout. I might even join in...
1 person likes this
@porwest (77977)
• United States
23 Nov 18
I have the metabolism of a hamster. I could eat a million calories in a single day and not gain an ounce. In fact, I might LOSE an ounce.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
27 Nov 18
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Wow, I'm jealous Maybe I need a spinning wheel to run on like a hamster, lol.
1 person likes this
@porwest (77977)
• United States
26 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 It's a very boring life. You just keep running in place, never getting anywhere. I just can't stuff my jaws like they can.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (84933)
• Bangalore, India
21 Nov 18
I mind my portion and do continue with my exercise and physical activities.My weight has been constant for last 5 years.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
That's a very smart way to handle it Arunima. Nothing more effective than watching the amount of food you eat and having a regular exercise routine I use to freeze all my leftovers but decided to limit the amount this year. Less temptation over the winter that way.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
@arunima25 So very true
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (84933)
• Bangalore, India
24 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 It is just initial challenge to resist it and then the body gets used to it and does not crave anymore.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75678)
20 Nov 18
You easily gain weight then. Exercise will definitely help you.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34132)
24 Nov 18
Yes, I try to maintain a daily exercise routine so I can still fit into my clothes I must stick to a fitness program!