How To Gain Weight During the Holidays and Keep It On

By Anne M. Rensberger, LICSW

Wondercoach

More Weight Control, Nutrition & Exercise Articles

How To Gain Weight During the Holidays and Keep It On

We know many of us are overweight. When do most of us gain that weight? Perhaps it is no surprise that most of it occurs during the interval between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

While most people don't gain as much as they fear, those of us that are overweight are the most likely to gain five pounds or more. This means the holidays pose a greater risk for us.

The bad news is no matter what you weigh or what you gained, most of us don't bother to lose that holiday weight.

You may be sick of hearing “helpful hints” about how not to gain weight during the holidays. Here are some tips you might like better.

Have several spiked eggnogs as soon as you arrive at an event. These are not only packed with calories, they rid you of any inhibition you may have about taking second and third helpings of anything you want.

Follow fatty meals with a sugary dessert. Sugar will raise your insulin levels, and push that fat directly into your fat cells where it will be safe.

Stay away from veggies. If you love the taste of dip, save it for the potato chips.

Remember the importance of gravy. Gravy is loaded with life-giving energy in the form of fat and should be poured on everything.

Reduce your “running around town” levels. If you must walk around when shopping, stop at the food court every half-hour to refuel.

Never turn down a homemade cookie. If there are a variety of selections, sample one of each and then go back and enjoy more of your favorite. You make people's day by eating their homemade treats.

Hang out in the kitchen and be first in any buffet line. That puts you in the right position for seconds or thirds.

Don't worry about getting enough sleep. You can always use sweets to give you that extra boost of energy you need.

Don't plan ahead. Things are always crazy and out of control anyway.

If you overeat anytime during the holidays consider the whole season shot. You can always be moderate in January after the Super Bowl.

All joking aside, why not pledge to do two things? First, weigh yourself now so you know what you weigh going into the holidays. Second, weigh yourself on January 2, 2012 and vow to have your holiday weight off by Super Bowl Sunday.