What Causes Holiday Weight Gain? Texans May Know Too Well

For many Texans, the holiday season brings more than twinkling lights and family gatherings; it often brings extra pounds.

Between Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas cookies, tamale parties, and New Year’s snacks, the scale tends to creep up from late November through early January.

Research consistently shows that adults gain an average of 1 to 2 pounds during the holiday season, and many never fully lose that weight afterward.

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How Locals Are Faring With Holiday Weight Gain

In Texas, those national trends have a local twist. Holiday traditions here often involve hearty food, whether it’s brisket and turkey on Thanksgiving, queso and tamales during office parties, or king cake and pecan pie at Christmas.

In regions like Midland-Odessa, where oilfield crews often share big meals after long shifts, social food culture can make avoiding extra calories even harder.

Honestly, those Rosa’s Cafe tortillas are sometimes impossible to resist.

With community events, potlucks, and multiple family gatherings spread across weekends, it’s easy for daily eating habits to get thrown off.

Why Do People Normally Gain Weight During the Holidays?

Part of the reason holiday weight gain happens isn’t just because of the food itself; it’s the frequency, portions, and disruption of routines.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that adults are more likely to indulge during holidays and break exercise habits at the same time, leading to net weight gain.

Read More: Why So Many Texans Can Relate to the Grinch

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

The good news is that weight gain over the holidays isn’t inevitable. Small strategies like focusing on vegetables first, sharing portions, and keeping up with a walking or gym routine can help balance indulgence with well-being.

After all, the holidays are about community and joy, not guilt, and with a mindful approach, Texans can enjoy both good food and good health.

But let's be completely honest here, the temptation of tamales and pie is sometimes too difficult to resist.