The fall season can make staying on track with weight loss extra tricky. From tempting holiday treats to cold weather comfort foods, obstacles pop up everywhere!
But don’t worry. With some smart strategies up your sleeve, you can totally overcome the top 9 fall weight loss challenges:
Let's be real — the fall holidays are nostalgic. Visions of cozy family gatherings around the Thanksgiving turkey or baking Christmas cookies often dance in our heads. While those memories are lovely, they can also lead to mindless emotional or boredom eating. A few bites here, a taste there...it all adds up!
Fight the temptation by:
Finding other outlets - Call a friend, meditate, take a walk
Practicing mindful snacking - Is food what your body really needs right now or are you just craving the familiar emotional comfort?
As the excitement of summer fades, feeling sluggish or unmotivated is common. For some, the changing season causes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — feelings of depression in the fall/winter months.
Symptoms like low energy, oversleeping, overeating and lack of interest in exercise can quickly derail your diet. But SAD is highly treatable! Talk to your doctor about light therapy, vitamin D supplements or medication. Getting ahead of SAD stops it from zapping your weight loss motivation.
Completely depriving yourself of holiday treats sets you up for a binge later. Instead, give yourself permission to indulge wisely. For example:
Share that hearty Thanksgiving meal with friends and family, then get right back on plan the next day
Allow yourself 1 modest dessert per week — enough to satisfy your craving without going overboard
Planning for these bites of holiday heaven actually staves off feeling deprived, helping you maintain consistent weight loss.
As temperatures drop, outdoor activities lose their appeal. Yet switching to boring old gym routines often backfires into skipped workouts. So get creative with fall fitness! Adjustments like:
Hiking nature trails to enjoy leaves changing color
Joining a recreational sports league with friends
Checking out trendy boutique fitness studios
...help beat the weather doldrums and renew excitement about exercise.
Between hectic holiday schedules, travel and unpredictable weather, having backup is crucial. Identify family, friends or colleagues willing to serve as weight loss accountability partners this fall.
Rally them to join you for meal prepping sessions, healthy potlucks, evening walks, etc. Leaning on your support squad makes maintaining momentum so much easier as obligations ramp up. Knowing your people have your back is priceless!
Sticking to healthy habits when festive vibes ramp up can no doubt feel overwhelming. But having the right mindset makes it totally doable!
Shift your focus from restriction to moderation. Set realistic expectations and be flexible. And don’t isolate yourself - surround yourself with positive supporters.
Basically embracing the holiday season, while still prioritizing self-care, lets you chase results AND enjoy this special time of year.
Whip up healthy versions of seasonal favorites so healthier options are quick to grab-and-go. We’re talking:
Veggie-Packed Chili
Butternut Squash Soup
Mixed Berry Parfaits
Pumpkin Smoothies
Freezing batches saves tons of time later when you’re rushings between holiday to-do’s. No more excuses for hitting the fast food drive-thru!
Counter unpredictable fall weather with standing workout “dates” on your calendar. For example:
Monday Spin Class with Amy at 6 pm
Wednesday Yoga at 7:30 am
Treat fitness plans like any other must-attend commitment. Respect the time slot devoted to bettering yourself amidst holiday hustle and bustle. Consider it a precious gift only requiring self-discipline to unwrap!
Watch for signs you’re pushing yourself too hard between year-end work projects, social obligations AND keeping up healthy habits. Irritability, lack of concentration, fatigue? All red flags to recalibrate.
Maybe you need to sleep in versus rising early to workout. Perhaps it’s ok to hit pause on strict calorie counting for a few days. Check in with your mind/body and modify accordingly. You got this!
Expect occasional backsliding around the holidays but DON’T throw in the towel! Reframe slip-ups as opportunities to practice self-forgiveness and get right back on track.
At the end of the day, maintaining your weight through the holidays IS a win to celebrate. So toast to your perseverance with a tasty mug of apple cider, then refresh your meal plan. Eyes on the prize toward a healthier 2023!
Wrapping Up
By preparing for obstacles NOW, you can avoid derailing your weight loss efforts this fall. Feel empowered tackling seasonal challenges head-on with support of weight loss experts.
The knowledgeable staff at PrimeHealthMD helps customize realistic plans for weathering unpredictable holiday hustle. And remember – most major insurance plans are accepted for our medically-supervised programs.
So don't wait! Reach out now online or call (770) 800-3353 to schedule your initial consultation. We eagerly await helping you achieve sustainable results all season long!
