We (That is, people who struggle with their weight) know of a magical time of year where it seems almost pointless to watch what we eat, this time is known as the holidays. During the “holiday season” (November – January), it is estimated on average that Americans consume an extra 600 calories a day or more than they normally would. That extra 1LB per week can be a disaster to anyone who is trying to lose weight at a normal pace.
We all know how it starts, a few weeks before thanksgiving your resolve wanes. You console yourself with thoughts such as “Well, it’s the holidays, everyone does it” and before you know it you’re back to your old habit of eating P.F. Chang’s 3 times a week. (Okay, that is my old habit.) Then after Thanksgiving the “Well Christmas is right around the corner” attitude kicks in, and all the holiday cookies, drinks, and desserts settle firmly around your waist. Once Christmas is over comes the biggest party of the year, new years eve! Binge drinking and binge eating are the norm here so why not indulge! This cycle can be devastating to your healthy lifestyle (and body).
The good news is that unless you consider Super Bowl Sunday a holiday, the next “Holiday” in which food could be a factor is Valentine’s Day. It is alright to go out to dinner to celebrate with that special someone but try to avoid the gargantuan box of Lindt’s truffles that they just gave you (if possible..) After Valentine’s Day we have St. Patrick’s Day which is pretty much guaranteed to pack on some extra alcohol related calories, then comes Easter dinner, after that we are well into summer before memorial day bbq, the 4th of July bbq, and labor day (bbq) hit (thankfully cookouts usually provide some healthy alternatives, there is nothing wrong with some grilled chicken), then we are back to the ‘pre-holiday season’ again.
So, keep in mind that we as American’s have made up countless reasons to get together and stuff our faces over the years and that using the celebration excuse is just setting yourself up to fail. Besides in America eating is a social event unlike in other countries where people simply eat as a means to sustain their body.
-Drew