A Look at People’s Year-End Weight Gain Expectations

Year-end weight gain is a reality for many. The weight gain is influenced by a multitude of factors that occur during this holiday season. These factors include the abundance of parties and gatherings with large amounts of food and drinks, disrupted sleep cycles, heightened stress levels, reduced physical activity, and the prevalence of seasonal depression.

According to Everyday Health, the colder weather prompts an increase in overall food consumption, particularly leaning towards more indulgent choices. Additionally, the shorter, darker days throw our internal clocks off.

A survey commissioned by Herbalife, conducted by OnePoll, reveals that three-quarters of Americans are planning to enjoy the end of the year and not worry about their diet. Last year's "Writing Off the End of the Year" survey had 54% of the 2,000 people surveyed feeling the same way. But this year, it went up to 72%.

The survey also showed that the average person is gearing up to gain eight pounds during the holidays this year, up from 5.5 pounds last year. Half of the participants confess to having consumed to the extent of needing to loosen a belt or undo a button. Meanwhile 35% have gone to the extreme of eating until they felt uncomfortably full.

Nearly half of respondents admit to surpassing traditional meal boundaries, with 47% consuming more than three meals in a day. Additionally, 42% enjoy more than one dessert per meal. Interestingly, 59% have even duplicated a particular meal within a single day.

Despite the admission of breaking dietary regimens at the end of the year by 72% of respondents, nearly half attribute this lapse to irresistible holiday food. 78% admit to piling on the pounds during last year's celebrations, and a chunk of them, 38%, are still carrying that holiday weight into 2023.

While succumbing to holiday temptations, 68% express confidence in adopting healthier habits in the upcoming new year. 47% of respondents are already contemplating New Year's resolutions for 2024, which is an increase from the 32% who thought about it for 2023.

Take a look at the complete study here.

The holiday party season is a time for celebrating with family and friends. But it can also get hectic with all the preparations and gatherings. Our to-do lists seem to grow faster than we can check items off. But one thing you definitely don't want to overlook is the activities and games for holiday parties. It’s a surefire way to keep the fun going and create lasting memories.

A good party game can amplify the excitement, break the ice, and bring people together. Whether you're planning to enjoy some holiday-themed games with your family or looking for ideas for a lively Christmas gathering with friends, our list of Christmas games for adults has got you covered.

A well-chosen party game can really make the party special. Some would even say it's better than mingling with a glass of wine or a cold beer. These games are not just about the competition. They're about creating an atmosphere of fun and togetherness.

There are plenty of games to choose from. These include activities suitable for a work party or an office setting, as well as those tailor-made for relaxed get-togethers with close friends or competitive showdowns with your family. You can put your knowledge of Christmas movies and songs to the test. Perhaps challenge your friends with trivia. The holiday season is all about celebrating, and these games are a fantastic way to infuse the spirit of merriment into any gathering.

As the holiday season approaches, it's a good idea to have a repertoire of fun and engaging activities. These will help make the most of your get-togethers. Whether you're looking to create cherished memories with family or enjoy some friendly competition with friends, these games are guaranteed to bring laughter and joy to your holiday celebrations.

Check out these perfect games and activities for a holiday party.

All you need is someone with a phone full of great Christmas songs, ready to play DJ. See who can guess the festive songs first after hearing just a few notes. It's a laid-back way to enjoy some post-meal fun.

Give this timeless game a festive twist by asking questions like, "I've never regifted a present," and find out what secrets your friends and family may be hiding. You can stick to the traditional rules where those who've committed the act take a sip of their beverage, or you can opt for a point-based system, with the winner receiving a holiday surprise as their reward.

Here's a game that allows you to unleash your creativity. Wrap a selection of uniquely shaped objects, and the challenge is to see who can build the tallest stack of presents. Using fragile items in this game should be avoided for obvious reasons.

Here's a straightforward, no-fuss game that's perfect a cozy home get-together or an office party. Gather everyone in a circle, and the game begins with one person singing a line from a holiday song. The person to their right then must continue with the next line of the song, and so on. You can choose from timeless classics like Jingle Bells or opt for a more contemporary holiday hit like Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas is You. While you might know the opening lines of these songs, it becomes quite a challenge as the game progresses.

Distribute four slips of paper to each participant. Every guest is tasked with jotting down two positive Christmas gifts and two negative ones: one from their real experiences and one fabricated. Collect all the slips in a container and let the group take turns guessing which presents were genuinely given and which were made up.

Make a big plastic wrap ball stuffed with little gifts like mini liquor bottles, gift cards, candy, and cash. One person starts by unwrapping it, while someone else takes the dice and tries to roll doubles. The twist is that you can't stop unwrapping until your neighbor rolls those elusive doubles, so the pressure's on to keep the ball moving.  Players get to keep all the goodies they uncover during their turn, so everyone's in for some prizes. You can make it more challenging by requiring the person unwrapping to wear oven mitts.

Here's a fun party game you can enjoy with friends or family anytime, anywhere. You split into two teams, and each player writes down 5 celebrity names on pieces of paper. You take turns being the clue-giver. In round one, the clue-giver describes the celebrity without saying their name or nickname, and the team guesses. In round two, you can only use one word as a clue. Round three is like Charades, where you act out the celebrity without speaking. Keep score to see which team guesses the most celebrities correctly. It's a great game for any gathering.