10 Important Reasons to Stay On Track With Your Eating & Drinking This Holiday Season

Finish 2025 Strong. Start 2026 Even Stronger

As the year winds down, it’s easy to let fitness and nutrition slide — but the truth is, what you do in the final 50 days of the year sets the tone for how you start the next one.

Most adults eat more, drink more, and move less during the holidays — and those “just this once” choices can add up fast. If you want to feel your best heading into 2026, staying consistent now is everything.

That’s exactly why we created the 50 Days of Fitness End of Year Challenge — to help you stay accountable, strong, and in control through the toughest season of the year.

1. The Average American Gains 1–5 Pounds Over the Holidays

Studies show adults gain 1 to 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s — and most never lose it afterward. Those pounds add up year after year.
Source: New England Journal of Medicine.

2. One Meal Can Equal Two Days of Calories

The average Thanksgiving dinner clocks in around 3,000–4,500 calories once you include snacks and drinks — that’s nearly two days’ worth of fuel in one sitting.
Source: Calorie Control Council.

3. Alcohol Intake Nearly Doubles in December

Americans drink almost twice as much alcohol between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, adding empty calories and lowering motivation to train.
Source: American Addiction Centers.

4. Sugar Intake Jumps by 20–30%

Cookies, candy, cocktails — sugar consumption skyrockets in December, spiking blood sugar and increasing fat storage.
Source: USDA & NPD Group.

5. Physical Activity Drops 25–30%

Travel, parties, and cold weather lead most people to move significantly less during the holidays. That combo of less movement and more calories drives fast fat gain.
Source: Human Kinetics Journal.

6. Stress and Lack of Sleep Raise Cortisol

Late nights and high stress trigger cortisol, the hormone linked to cravings, fat gain, and slower recovery.
Source: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

7. Too Much Food & Alcohol Weakens Immunity

Heavy eating and drinking can suppress immune function, leaving you more likely to get sick right when you’re around more people.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology.

8. Overeating Drains Energy & Focus

Large, high-fat, high-sugar meals cause energy crashes, brain fog, and lower productivity.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

9. January “Reset” Plans Fail 80% of the Time

Most people start fresh in January, but 80% of resolutions fizzle by February. Staying on track now eliminates the need for drastic crash diets later.
Source: U.S. News & World Report.

10. Consistency Now Builds Momentum for 2026

People who maintain at least 80–90% of their healthy habits through the holidays are three times more likely to stay fit year-round.
Source: American Journal of Health Promotion.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to be perfect — just consistent.
Make smart choices, keep training, limit alcohol, and get your workouts in. Your future self will thank you.

Join our 50 Days of Fitness End of Year Challenge and finish this year stronger, leaner, and more energized than ever.

As always any questions just ask I am happy to answer.

Until next time eat well, train hard & be nice to people.