The number of times I have heard people blame the holidays for the wheels coming of is too numerous to count. The number of times I have heard the same people promise to exercise off the extra pounds they gain from this dewheeling process are equally as numerous (nevermind that exercise is not a good method to lose weight). The crazy thing is, when researchers follow individuals who let the wheels come off during the holidays, they find that they put a small amount of weight on that never comes off. The researchers went as far as to suggest that this periodic weight gain is likely responsible for the majority of weight gain that many individuals experience throughout their adult life.
Think about that one for a while.
Also, think about how amazing the holidays are. This fun, pre-dead of winter time involves near-constant celebrations with our friends, families, and those closest to us. This premise alone should leave the holidays as an amazing time, but they get even better as we listen to old Rat Pack Christmas song and watch old movies.
So, why do we need to have the wheels come off at this time of year?
If we are using the holidays as an excuse to let the wheels fall off and eat a bunch of foods that are going to knock us back – apparently, for the rest of our lives – perhaps it is better to simply ask why? Why would we do this to ourselves? Why does eating a bunch of crap we don’t even want and then feel bad about afterwards even play a part of the holidays?
The answer, of course, is it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t. The holidays are awesome as is. Leave them to that. Enough is enough. You don’t need more and you don’t need to ruin them. Just as focusing on gifts and consuming have ruined what is actually great about Christmas for many people, do not let a stupid yearly binge fest ruin the core of the holidays and what makes them so great. Dig deep and ask yourself why the holidays are so great.
The answer is obvious and one that keeps the wheels on.
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