Girl standing on the scales in Christmas fun red green socks with snowman

How to Make Merry Without Maximizing Weight

The holidays are here, and it is time for cheer. However, that cup of cheer might soon bring fear when we add up all the extra calories that show up all around. From Christmas cookies to Christmas stress, there are many reasons that our bellies grow and create the need for the same New Year’s resolution as last year, to lose more weight.

Don’t start off behind.

The more you can manage the excess now, the less work you will need to do to come January.  Simple healthy choices go a long way to make you merry without making you larger. Leave the belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly to Santa Clause. A healthy you is a happy and merry you. Give yourself the most important gift, a gift that keeps giving, the gift of health.

Here are some tips to help you keep your weight in check without foregoing your holiday traditions:

Weight gain during the holiday season is extremely common due to celebrations and social gatherings, which are known to have high-calorie foods like desserts, sugary drinks, and alcohol. There’s also evidence of a decrease in physical activity during this time of year.

Holiday weight gain is a common concern for many adults. Various seasonal holidays may encourage overeating, sedentary behavior, and consumption of calorie-rich foods. In fact, between mid-November and mid-January, adults in Western societies gain an average of 1 pound (0.5 kg).

It’s important to note that stressing out about calories and weight gain could backfire, spurring overeating.

Here are some tips to make your own healthy holiday drinks: