Jillian Michaels: Beat Holiday Pounds with 80/20 Rule

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has shared her top tip for navigating the holiday season without gaining weight. She advocates for practicing balance through a simple yet effective 80/20 rule, which allows for mindful indulgence while maintaining overall calorie control. This approach encourages consistent healthy habits throughout the year, preventing the accumulation of small, steady weight increases that can lead to significant long-term gain.

Michaels likens managing holiday treats to sticking to a budget, emphasizing that small sacrifices today can allow for indulgences. She warns against "all or nothing" thinking, noting that extreme swings between overeating and strict dieting, often seen as "yo-yo dieting," are detrimental to long-term health. Instead, she promotes consistent checks and balances, such as eating less the day after an indulgence or increasing physical activity.

The fitness expert highlighted that preventing gradual weight creep is more important than major holiday spikes. By counterbalancing indulgences in real-time, individuals can maintain a steady weight. Michaels herself plans to spend the holidays in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with her family, continuing her consistent approach to health and wellness despite travel obligations.