One Simple Hack To Stop Holiday Weight Gain In Its Tracks

We've all been there. The holidays roll around, and so does the anxiety. You picture yourself enjoying desserts, sipping cocktails, and boom! - goodbye jeans that fit. Holiday weight gain strikes again.

But what if I told you there’s one simple hack that can change everything? The secret to shedding kilos while sipping cocktails that lets you enjoy every bite, sip, and festive moment?

The hack? Relaxation.

It might sound too good to be true, but this little shift can make all the difference! Let’s dive into why stress is your real weight-loss enemy - and how you can stop holiday weight gain in its tracks without sacrificing the joy of the season.

Why Stress = Weight Gain

Here’s the thing: It’s not just the cookies, champagne, or that extra helping of pie that leads to weight gain - it’s the stress that comes with it.

In your everyday life, stress is relentless. You’re juggling work, family, endless to-do lists, and barely taking time to breathe. Even when you’re “doing everything right” - eating salads, hitting the gym - stress works against you.

Here’s why:

1. Cortisol Overload
   Stress triggers your body to release cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol tells your body to store fat, especially around your belly, to prepare for “emergencies.”
   
   
2. Sugar Cravings Spike
   High cortisol levels lead to blood sugar swings and intense cravings for sugar and carbs. Your brain wants quick energy, and suddenly that tray of cookies feels impossible to resist.
   
   
3. Metabolism Slows
   Chronic stress disrupts your sleep and slows your metabolism. You’re burning fewer calories even when you’re active.
   
   

The result? Stress traps you in a cycle of weight gain, cravings, and frustration—no matter how hard you try.

The Holiday Magic

Then something magical happens. You indulge in delicious meals, enjoy a few glasses of champagne and simply enjoy the moment. #noguilt You forget about your weight and focus on enjoying yourself.

When the holidays are over, you expect to see a heavier version of yourself in the mirror, but surprise! You look leaner and more energised. What’s the secret?

Busting the Busy-itis Myth

Here’s where the magic happens: holidays can be a natural reset for your body.

Your holiday bliss has much to do with escaping the ‘busy-itis’ trap. Your alarm dictates your life at home: rushing for coffee, barreling into a spin class by 7 am, and juggling the kids before a 9 am meeting.

Even if you’re not physically exhausted, the mental stress is relentless, with your brain buzzing like a monkey on caffeine often every day, every week, every month.

The Stress Connection

So, how does this all lead to unexpected weight loss? It’s all about stress - or rather, the lack of it. When constantly stressed, your adrenal glands work overtime, pumping out cortisol. This stress hormone boosts glucose production, fueling your body’s energy needs.

Here’s the kicker: if your cells’ insulin receptors get overwhelmed, they shut down. This leaves glucose floating around in your bloodstream, leading to blood sugar chaos, increased insulin levels, and, ultimately, weight gain.

The Relaxation Revelation

But when you’re on vacation or enjoying a relaxing holiday at home, stress melts away. You slow down. You eat more mindfully. You move because it feels good - not because you “have to.”

Your adrenal glands get a break, and your insulin receptors breathe a sigh of relief. Without the constant cortisol surge, your body can process glucose more efficiently, preventing that dreaded weight gain or belly bloat You eat, drink, and be merry without the usual guilt - and your body thanks you for it by shedding kilos.

Here’s what happens when you relax:

1. Cortisol Drops
   Less stress means less cortisol. Your body stops hoarding fat and starts processing food the way it’s supposed to.
   
   
2. Better Blood Sugar Control
   With lower stress, your body can handle glucose more efficiently. No more blood sugar chaos, no cravings spirals, and no unnecessary fat storage.
   
   
3. Natural Movement
   Holidays often include low-stress movement: walking, swimming, dancing. It’s exercise, but it doesn’t feel like exercise - so you do it more.
   
   
4. Quality Sleep
   Relaxation helps you sleep better, and sleep is the secret sauce for a faster metabolism and balanced hormones.
   

More on this in my book Eat, Drink and Still Shrink … a joyful guide for busy people. 

Simply put: when you stop stressing, your body stops fighting you. You relax, it relaxes - and suddenly, holiday weight gain isn’t the threat it used to be.

The Simple Hack: Make Relaxation a Priority  

Break the Cycle

To maintain this holiday magic, find ways to incorporate relaxation and joy into your everyday life. Take time out for activities you genuinely enjoy or create new micro habits that support your physical and mental well-being. It’s about breaking the stress cycle and giving your body the care it deserves.

Here’s how you can take this holiday mindset and make it part of your life:

1. Slow Down Your Meals
   On holiday, you savour food because you’re relaxed and present. At home, eat like you’re on vacation: sit down, chew slowly, and actually enjoy your food. This one habit can help you eat less and feel more satisfied.
   
   
2. Build “Mini Holidays” Into Your Day
   You don’t need a plane ticket to de-stress. Take small breaks throughout your day: step outside for fresh air, sip your coffee slowly, or spend 5 minutes doing deep breathing.
   
   
3. Move Joyfully, Not Rigidly
   Forget punishing workouts. On holiday, you move because it’s fun—walks, swims, exploring. Find ways to bring joyful movement into your everyday life.
   
   
4. Sleep Like You’re on Vacation
   Sleep is your body’s reset button. Turn off devices an hour before bed, and make sleep a non-negotiable priority.
   
   
5. Say Goodbye to Food Guilt
   Holidays teach us that food can be about enjoyment, not stress. At home, drop the guilt. If you want a treat, have it—then move on. Food stress causes more harm than the food itself.
   

Keep the Holiday Weight Gain Hack Alive

The key to stopping holiday weight gain isn’t to skip the fun or restrict yourself. It’s about letting go of stress, being present, and listening to what your body needs.

When you relax and give your body the rest and joy it craves, everything changes. Your hormones rebalance. Your metabolism works better. You feel lighter - not just physically, but mentally, too.

So this year, try the simple hack: make relaxation part of the plan. Savour the food, sip the cocktails, and enjoy the season without guilt.

Your body - and your mind - will thank you for it.

Keep the holiday spirit alive, even when you’re not on vacation. Share this with your network and let’s all break the busy-itis cycle together!

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