Marcella La Cioppa A recent survey revealed that most people tend to abandon healthy habits as the Christmas holidays approach, to enjoy the days more in the company of friends and relatives.
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A new survey of 2,000 Americans shows that 24% still carry the weight they put on at the end of 2023. This averages just under 9 pounds. All respondents said they expect to gain an additional 13 pounds before January 2025.
The study
Conducted by Talker Research and part of the seventh annual year-end survey titled “Holiday Healthy Habits“, the study dug into Americans’ health habits across 2024 and how those habits change when the holidays approach.
Half of the respondents admitted to not maintaining healthy eating habits as the holidays drew closer. Additionally, 43% acknowledged using the end of the year as an excuse to postpone adopting healthier practices. Generational differences were notable: 64% of Gen Z participants confessed to using the holidays as an excuse, compared to just 43% of Gen X respondents.
Regardless of age, 53% said they had given up their diets by the end of the year, while 36% blamed temptation from festive foods.
Giving holiday healthy habits a break
Many said they stopped health habits altogether to indulge during the holiday season. A whopping 62% said the end of the year is more enjoyable when they don’t worry about their weight or healthy habits.
When asked why they’re more likely to over-indulge this year, 40% said that the older they get, the more they want to seize the moment. The next 31% said that they feel more thankful than in the past to spend time with family and friends, which lowers their resistance during celebrations.
It doesn’t mean that one should not enjoy his or her holidays with loved ones, but experts suggest balancing between enjoyment and health.
Looking ahead to 2025
Despite many abandoning healthy habits during the holidays, the majority plan to kick off 2025 on the right foot. Two-thirds (65%) intend to adopt healthier routines in the new year. On average, respondents estimated it would take just under 18 days to return to or establish new healthy habits.
Source: Talker
