For many of us, the festive season has brought its usual array of Christmas treats, from presents to films and food. It’s the time of year when indulgences are encouraged, allowing for guilt-free eating and drinking.
But now Christmas is over, many of us will be focusing on our weight loss goals once more. The prospect of returning to a fitness regime in 2025 may seem intimidating, especially as experts often suggest a gentle approach during the festivities.
However, a doctor on TikTok has shared a crucial tip to avoid post-Christmas pitfalls. In a post online, @healthy_little_lifter – also known as Doctor Aisling Gough – delivered some key guidance to her 13,500 followers.
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She points out: “If you’re feeling a bit rubbish post-Christmas – you’ve got a bit of weight on, you’re feeling a bit bloated and a bit ugh – and you’re thinking today is the day I’m going to get back on track, I’m going to lose weight. Here are some things you can think about…”
r. Gough advises those keen on shedding holiday weight to ignore the scales completely, at least initially. She suggests: “Give it another week because the scales are probably going to go up.”
She explains that this isn’t necessarily indicative of fat gain but rather an increase in overall body weight due to water retention associated with higher carbohydrate intake. She added: “Not because you’ve overate, over indulged and you’ve gained body fat. That’s not the reason. It’s not just body fat, it’s body weight. Body weight and body fat are two different things, if you eat more carbs, the word is carboHYDRATE, you’ll hold onto water.”
She highlighted the numerous factors that contribute to this phenomenon, including increased sodium intake and reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables, which can slow down bowel movements and lead to weight gain. “Give it another week, do not weigh yourself,” she advised.
“It’s perfectly fine to build momentum, get back into a routine, and maybe start new healthy habits for the upcoming year.”
For those who may have already stepped on the scale, Dr. Aisling cautioned: “Don’t freak out, don’t do anything. And for the love of God, do not get sucked into a fad or detox.”
Her post received hundreds of likes and dozens of comments, with one person commenting: “Definitely excess weight on the scale this period is water retention.”
Another added: “I don’t know if my phone is listening to me or what, but thank you. I needed it.”