If you prefer the podcast where I go on a few tangents & laugh at with myself.. have a listen here.
It’s December which means the ‘holiday mindset’ is in full swing!
You’re often told not to worry so much about diet and exercise at this time of year - usually from well meaning coaches, nutritionists & personal trainers.
But that’s not what the research shows us…
A recent review looked at weight gain over the holiday period and found (unsurprisingly) that most people gain weight over the holidays..
The more surprising & concerning part is, that weight tends to stick around..
The authors state:
‘One concerning observation was that most of the weight gained during these periods (Thanks giving, Christmas & new year) was maintained even after the end of the studies, especially in those with obesity.’
Another study looked at the average weight gain over a year and when people gained the most weight - this was really interesting..
They found that most of the weight gained over the course of a year was between November and January and that although between February and early october there was no further weight gain there also wasnt weight loss.
Which means that year on year people, on average, gain weight.
This is often the opposite of what the fitness industry tells you…
Usually the message is ‘don’t worry about christmas’ - worry about what you’re doing the rest of the year.
When in fact it is actually the holiday period that seems to be the problem for most people - from this data it looks like Feb-oct are actually pretty decent and its late October to Feb that is the problem so that should be where we focus our attention.
Annecdotely, I can see this trend. A lot of clients tend to drop off in November and try to pick back up in February - but by then a lot of weight has been gained and you’re starting on the back foot. It doesnt have to be like that.
If we look at the data - the time you need a coach the most is between late October and arly February - so if you want to sign up head to esgfitness.co.uk haha sorry couldnt resist a little plug there.
I love the clients that sign up or commit to staying on at this time of year because they are fuk average vibes - they want more from life, they refuse to be mediocre.. those are my kind of people.
It’s also an important to surround yourself with people who positviely influence you. Otherwise it’s very easy to just follow the trend (over consumption). Which is why we have a whole team of ‘fuk avergae’ legends here
My advice isn’t to ‘worry’ about what you’re doing over christmas or the rest of the year… it’s to take ownership of it.
It’s your life, you’re in control, it’s not happening to you. It’s your actions that will drive your outcomes. That is powerful.
Dont like these stats? Don’t want to be average? Dont do what the average person does.
ESG x
I host a health challenge from Halloween to Christmas with some guys in my town, and I tell them... if you can DON'T gain weight during this time, that's success.
Obviously I'd want people to lose unhealthy weight, but not gaining is step one.