Holiday weight gain is something that a lot of women struggle with during the holiday season. If you are one of these women then you probably find yourself packing on a couple of extra pounds around Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Although there is nothing wrong with occasionally indulging in your favorite holiday treats, serious weight gain during the holiday season could be bad news for you. If you are thinking that you will easily bring your weight back down after the holidays, think again. Losing that holiday weight gain is harder than you think.

According to medical studies, most people who gain weight during the holiday season fail to lose it afterward. In fact, holiday weight gain may be playing a major role in the overall weight gain that people experience during adulthood. Holiday weight gain is even more detrimental for people who are already overweight to begin with. Studies have shown that people who are overweight tend to gain more pounds during the holidays than people of normal weight.

One sure-fire way to shed the pounds you gained during Thanksgiving and Christmas is to increase your physical activity. This can be a challenge for many people. Lack of time or physical conditions are a couple of common factors that might stand in the way of your workout, or you might simply lack the motivation to get moving. Your workout routine does not need to be strenuous. Instead, you just have to commit to do it regularly. If work keeps you busy, try to squeeze in some gym time during the morning or after work. If you have joint problems or other physical conditions, try low-impact exercises like walking, swimming or water aerobics. If you find exercise monotonous, get one of your friends to be your exercise buddy.

Another serious consequence of holiday weight gain is that you may gradually adapt the eating habits that you've developed during the holiday season. Before you know it, you are having sweets for dessert every evening or you're eating too many snacks between meals. Resisting the temptation to indulge after the holidays will definitely take some work, so you should start with small steps. For instance, if you keep Christmas cookies in your desk at work, resist the urge to eat one every hour. Better yet, give them away to a colleague so you won't face the temptation anymore. If your pantry is still full of holiday snacks, refrain from opening it when you're hungry.

One reason why it can be challenging to lose holiday weight is due to the stress and emotions that the holiday season may bring, both of which can lead to overeating. Decorating your home in time, shopping for gifts and organizing family visits can take a toll on you. Before you know it, you're eating a tub of ice cream in order to soothe your nerves. To effectively prevent holiday weight gain, it's important to look for other activities that can help you relax without gaining extra pounds.