Fall is here, and with it comes one of the most challenging seasons for maintaining your weight loss progress. Shorter days, comfort food cravings, endless holiday gatherings, and disrupted routines create what Holly and Jim call "the perfect storm for weight gain." But what if this season didn't have to mean falling behind?
Instead of throwing in the towel until January, you can use this time to actually move forward. The science shows that people typically gain 1-3 pounds during the fall and holiday season – and most never lose it. Over five years, that's 15 pounds of creeping weight gain that could have been prevented.
Join Holly and Jim as they reveal the top 10 pitfalls that sabotage your progress during fall, along with research-backed "power plays" to counter each one. You'll discover how to fall forward instead of falling behind, setting yourself up to roll into winter ahead of the game rather than playing catch-up come January.
Discussed on the episode:
- Why 15-20 minutes less daily movement in the fall creates a biological cascade that affects your brain chemistry
- The "comfort food overload" phenomenon and strategic cozy swaps that satisfy cravings with fewer calories
- How holiday creep, starting in September, can add hundreds of extra calories daily without you noticing
- The mood-food connection: why darker days trigger mac and cheese cravings and what to do about it
- Why the "wait until January" mindset costs you more than just a few pounds
- The hidden weight gain that sweater season masks, and why your "fall pants" are crucial feedback tools
- How travel and tailgates disrupt structured eating patterns and increase calorie intake by 14-25%
- The sugar season cycle that creates dopamine-driven wanting loops, keeping you reaching for more
- Why sleep deprivation during busy fall schedules can boost cravings by up to 30%
- How packed schedules crowd out self-care and raise cortisol levels that promote weight gain
- Strategic approaches to enjoying holiday foods without losing momentum
- Whether it's realistic to lose weight during the fall or if maintenance is a better goal
- Workplace survival tactics for constant candy and treat temptations
