Did you know that studies have shown the average person gains approximately 7 lbs each holiday season? It is called the "Seasonal Seven," this 7 pounds is typically put on between Thanksgiving and New Years.

"That’s it?" you ask? Only 7 lbs.?! You are probably thinking you will hit the gym and diet hard come New Years and get back down to your normal weight, but it is not that simple.

Here is the problem … it’s not that small weight gain during the holidays that’s bad; it’s the fact that most people don’t lose that weight year after year.

A 7 lb weight gain each year for the next 4 years means you are up 28 lbs. I sit in front of people daily who say, "I'm not sure how I gained so much weight, it just happened."

I'll break it down for you. You may not notice a few pounds. They creep on slowly, but surely. And it’s all relative to your current weight. What started out some pants that were just a bit tighter than last time you tried them on, you deny the weight gain by saying, “They just came out of dryer”. And suddenly those same pants no longer fit and you put them on the top shelf in your closet dreaming they will eventually fit again. This process is so slow, we make up excuses like, my metabolism is slowing with age, you just had a baby (3 years ago), etc.

And the cycle continues.

Stop the madness!

Eat in moderation; you don't have to "OD" on Christmas cookies or pie, I promise they will be around for weeks!

Make sure you continue to eat healthy foods; this will help give you self control with the holiday treats, because you will have filled up on healthy meals and snacks first.


Keep going to the gym and doing cardio. Working out keeps you on track and allows your to observe any weight fluctuations by how you look in workout clothes or how you feel during your exercise.