There are many reasons why people tend to gain weight during festivities. Increased dietary intake is one of the primary causes. The abundance of mouthwatering dishes, snacks, and sweets that accompany festive occasions is what makes people eat more. The calories, bad fats, and sugars in these foods are usually much higher than normal dishes. During holidays, food is frequently the most important aspect of gatherings and parties, and the joyful mood can encourage thoughtless eating that is greater than normal portion sizes. Overeating might result from the pleasure of gathering other than the increasing desire to try new foods.

Weight gain during celebrations might also result from emotional eating. Festive celebrations can stir up a variety of feelings, such as joy, worry, and nostalgia from the gathering that occurs once in a year. Many people use food as a comfort or a means of celebration, which can lead to overeating and ingesting more calories than necessary.

How to Lose Weight after Festivities

Set realistic goals

Setting attainable goals can be very useful when trying to shed pounds after festivities. Indulging in rich, calorie-dense foods during festivities is common and can result in weight gain. People are able to manage the aftermath of celebrations in a useful and achievable way by setting realistic goals. Setting realistic goals enables a steady and lasting approach rather than expecting to suddenly lose all the extra weight accumulated during the festivities. For example, individuals can set goals for how much weight they want to lose each week or month. This eliminates the need to take drastic steps, which are sometimes unproductive and challenging to stick with.

Focus on healthy eating

After the festive season, weight loss can be enhanced by concentrating on healthy food. Choosing healthy, nutrient-dense foods can help with weight loss. People may reduce calorie intake while maximising nutrition by taking whole foods like fruits and vegetables By incorporating essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, this strategy encourages satiety and lessens the temptation to overeat.

Portion control

Portion control is necessary for weight loss after festivities. It's common to indulge in larger portions and consume more calories than necessary during festivities. People may monitor their calorie intake and generate a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss, by using portion control techniques. This requires paying attention to portion sizes and avoiding excessive servings. Utilising smaller bowls, plates, and utensils can visually deceive the brain into thinking the plate is fuller while consuming less calories.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking lots of water can help you shed weight after a party. People may drink sugary drinks at festivities, which can lead to weight gain. People can lower their calorie intake and aid weight loss attempts by substituting water for these. Water has no calories and can aid in promoting a fullness sensation, which can help control appetite and avoid overeating. Additionally, consuming water prior to meals can help you eat less. Maintaining a healthy level of hydration can promote metabolism and enhance the body's capacity to burn calories.

Engage in regular physical activity

Holidays are frequently associated with a more sedentary lifestyle which can result in weight gain. Regular exercise can improve weight loss by helping to promote fat burning and increase metabolism. Exercise boosts energy expenditure, which aids in the burning of extra calories gained over the course of festivities. Other than that, it supports the development of lean muscle mass, which raises metabolism and enhances total body composition. Numerous health advantages of regular exercise include greater cardiovascular fitness, improved mood, and higher vitality. 

Practise mindful eating

The art of mindful eating can be quite beneficial for post-holiday weight loss. Holiday celebrations sometimes involve partaking in a variety of delectable meals, which can occasionally result in thoughtless overeating. People who practise mindful eating are encouraged to take their time, focus on their food, and use all of their senses when they are eating. By doing this, people learn to recognise their body's hunger and fullness cues, which helps them avoid overeating and fosters a healthier connection with food. Additionally, mindful eating encourages people to savour each mouthful rather than mindlessly ingesting vast amounts of food, focusing on the flavour, texture, and satisfaction it provides.

Get enough sleep

For a successful post-festivities weight loss, getting enough sleep is important. Sleep patterns are frequently disturbed during joyous times, resulting in insufficient sleep. Hormone is impacted by sleep deprivation, for example hormones like ghrelin and leptin that regulate appetite. Ghrelin levels rise when people are sleep deprived, promoting hunger and cravings, while leptin levels fall, causes lack of fullness feeling. This may result in consuming more calories and making bad dietary decisions. Contrarily, getting enough sleep promotes hormone balance, speeds up metabolism. People can control their hunger, make better decisions, and better manage their calorie intake by making sleep a priority and developing a regular sleep schedule.

Written by: Alia Adrina Asri

BSc (Hons) Nutrition

Love Earth Nutritionist