While doing some reading a number of sources suggest people gain anywhere from seven to ten pounds over the holidays. Meanwhile new studies report people only gain one pound during this time of year. Sure, that sounds more reasonable, however, the study also says people never lose that pound. They just accumulate another pound year after year.

The truth of the matter is when you are trying to be less fat no weight accumulation should be acceptable. Simply because it’s the holidays we should not abandon our journey. I was watching an interview with new UFC champ Connor McGregor the other day. He was asked about what is next after winning the belt a few days ago. He said he’s going to enjoy the holidays because he has not been able to for the last couple of years due to training.

Hmmm, I'm always training for something, yet I never worry about the holidays. Maybe I'm not as dedicated as I think. Just because fat Saint Nick and chubby Baby New Year will be around does not mean I should eat like a pig. The truth is I should be able to enjoy the holidays without stuffing my face. Seriously, is the rest of my life so meaningless that it needs to be filled without gluttonous amounts of cookies, cake, and pie?

Unfortunately I can reach back no less than a month to recall a recent fail of a holiday. I threw caution to the wind and did not count my calories on Thanksgiving. I gained seven friggin pounds. A lot of people told me not to worry about it. It’s just a bunch of glycogen, water, blah, blah, blah, and it would come right off. BS! That seven pound gain set my weight loss back two weeks and those had to be strict weeks at that.

There will not be a repeat performance of the above holiday for Christmas and New Year’s. I will be counting my calories. My plan is that I will give myself an additional 500 calories on those two days. That's not both days and eves because that will quickly add up to 2,000 calories. 500 each day for a total of an extra 1,000 calories that week. A helpful break I am allowing myself will be not minding the macros. I usually eat at an absolute minimum of 200 grams of protein and usually 250. However, on those two days I’m not going to even care about protein. I know, blasphemy on the holidays, how dare I.

I am learning, things do not have to be all or nothing. Not counting protein will be such a joy. Plus it will open those calories up for some more of the festive foods that will be around. That said, when I hit my calorie total, that’s it regardless of what time it is or where I am. That means no morning eating for me.

The method that works best for me on special days is that I just don’t eat until night time. I like saving my calories for big meals. Plus if I pick on food when it’s just there, it makes me even hungrier. Instead I’ll drink decaf coffee to stave off hunger. Coffee is a natural appetite suppressant. Regular coffee is fine, I just prefer decaf. I add cream and a no calorie sweetener. Of course sugar would completely defeat the purpose.

Another thing I’ll do is get right up in the morning and do some conditioning if time allows it. Otherwise I'll do a some extra the day before or after. I used to see holidays as a day off. Now I think that’s just really an excuse. There’s no reason I can’t start my day in a positive way with some exercise. I’ll feel good and it will help combat some of those extra calories I’m allowing myself.

OK, so now I have a plan. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish and I can’t wish holiday pounds away. I tried that after Thanksgiving and it didn’t work. I had to bust my butt for two weeks just to get back to even. I'm not going to let that happen again.

Good luck to all of you out there fighting this battle. It's a tough time of year to be less fat, but we can do it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.