Professor
Franklin Joseph, a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes and obesity and founder of Dr. Frank's Weight Loss Clinic in London, states that food at Christmas alone rarely causes fat gain, but sitting around doing nothing does.
In an article published by
Dailymail, the expert points out that
inactivity has a huge detrimental effect on our metabolism, increases fat accumulation and leads to overeating, all of which
causes weight gain, even if we control what we eat during Christmas.
Professor Joseph explained: "The hours we spend sitting (watching television, socializing, traveling, or lying on the couch) have a much greater impact on weight than the food itself.
When you sit for long periods, your body becomes less efficient at managing sugar and fat in the blood. "That means more of what you eat is stored instead of burned," she added.
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Inactivity can also affect the body's natural hunger signals, making people more prone to mindless eating, turning the last weeks of December into a perfect storm.
"You don't eat because you're hungry, you eat because you're bored," he warned.
Keep the movement in the key
Professor Joseph explained that
weight gain at Christmas is not avoided by reducing calories or eliminating sweets, but with simple habits. He assured that
it is not necessary to diet during these holidays, but to try to stay active, since the constant movement of the body is key to preventing a sedentary lifestyle and its effects.
It states that
taking a short walk after eating, standing up regularly, helping with cooking or tidying up, and dedicating time to gentle and regular stretching can help keep extra pounds at bay.
It can be difficult not to panic when weighing yourself for the first time after Christmas, but Professor Joseph states that most of the time the body is swollen with fluids, not with globules of yellowish fat. However, he quickly remembers that remaining inactive for days on end can tip the scales towards a real increase in fat if the sedentary lifestyle continues into January.
It is recommended not to start the year with drastic diets
The obesity expert also urged reflection before assuming
Boxing Day or New Year's Day as the start of a strict eating plan. He pointed out that imposing radical changes right after the holidays can generate negative effects on the body and make it difficult to adopt sustainable habits in the long term.
"Going on drastic diets on Boxing Day or January 1st is usually counterproductive," he warned. "This increases stress hormones, causes cravings, and can lead to new binges," the specialist explained.
The specialist recommended enjoying meals without guilt, maintaining moderate physical activity during the holidays, and resuming the usual routine in January, ensuring that this balanced approach is the most effective way to maintain a stable weight in the long term.
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