‘Tis the Season to Chill Out

Every year, we are all bombarded with the same message: y’all gonna get real fat this holiday season.

I know this is probably a real thing for some people, but I really don’t believe holiday weight gain is as all-encompassing of an issue as the media suggests. I’ve been through more than 30 holiday seasons, and I’ve never once visually noted that someone gained weight during that time period.

I think that instead of driving ourselves nuts about holiday food and weight gain, it’s probably a smarter idea to focus on (go with me here, it’s a little crazy) actually having fun. That’s a pretty bullshit suggestion because clearly we are supposed to be paying penance for all holiday indulgences, and these post-mashed potato burpees aren’t making anyone smile.

Have you ever met anyone fat and heard them say, “Well, I was thin until I had those few larger holiday meals and now I’m obese”? No, it’s not those few meals. It’s a sustained period of eating more than you should, and probably for reasons beyond “‘Tis the season.”

Also, do you really want your kids growing up thinking that the holiday season goes hand in hand with weight freak-outs? Sure, go ahead and have fresh veggies as an option at Thanksgiving. I know I’ll probably be doing that, but not for health as much as because little kids love that kind of shit. Seriously, my youngest daughter would eat anything if she could dip it in bleu cheese dressing. That’s even how she prefers to eat her M&Ms.

I’m not going to spend my holidays worrying about how much butter is going into the stuffing (spoiler: A LOT) because that’s a real smile-killer. I have yet to get fluffy over the holidays, but if this is the year it happens, I’ll be sure to report back with a panicky “NEW YEAR, NEW YOU” workout post.

Do you focus on avoiding weight gain during the holidays or do you just go with the flow of free cookies like me? —Kara