Holiday Weight Gain Myths vs. Facts (And How CoolSculpting Elite Fits In)

3 Key Takeaways:

• Holiday weight gain myths – Most people gain less than 1kg during the holidays, and weight gain can be managed with mindful habits.
• CoolSculpting Elite – A non-invasive procedure to target stubborn fat areas like love handles and lower belly, helping you refine your body contour without surgery.
• Support your results – Staying hydrated, prioritizing sleep, and eating mindfully can support your fitness goals and CoolSculpting Elite results

With all the fun, gatherings, and indulgence during the festive season, the fear of holiday weight gain always resurfaces. Along with it come countless tips, tricks, and hacks on how to avoid or manage it. But how much of this fear is based on fact, and how much is simply myth?

Continue reading as our aesthetic clinic in Singapore breaks down the most common misconceptions about holiday weight gain and what happens to your body. We also share how CoolSculpting Elite fits in when reducing stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond well to diet and exercise.

Holiday Weight Gain: Myths vs. Facts

Myth 1: Most people gain 5 to 10kg during the holidays.

Fact: According to research, the average gain is typically less than 1kg.

While it is true that people eat more sugary and high-calorie foods during the festive season, most only experience minor weight changes (often from water retention or temporary bloating). It is also common for most to exaggerate or perceive themselves as gaining much more than they actually do.

Take note that if a small amount of weight is not lost after it is gained, it can gradually accumulate over time, especially with long-term bad habits. This can result in significant weight gain over the course of months or even years.

Myth 2: Holiday weight gain is unavoidable. 

Fact: Holiday weight is common, but you can maintain your weight during the festive season. 

It is common for most adults to gain a small amount during the holidays, but this doesn’t mean it’s unavoidable. Mindful strategies such as planning ahead, controlling portions, and not skipping meals (to avoid overeating) can help you maintain your weight. It is also important to note that once routines normalize, most people naturally shed this weight gain.

Myth 3: One indulgent meal will ruin your progress.

Fact: Your body reacts to consistency or long-term patterns, not isolated events.

Your body or metabolism doesn’t dramatically change after a buffet or a day of indulging in holiday treats. What matters more are long-term habits and the consistency of your diet and lifestyle. These determine your overall body composition. 

Besides, focusing too much on ruining your progress with one indulgent meal can lead to stress, guilt, or restrictive eating (that can be followed by binging). This is far more detrimental to your overall health and progress.

Myth 4: If I overeat, I just need to exercise more the next day.

Fact: You cannot “undo” overeating with exercise.

While exercise is essential to losing weight, it is neither practical nor healthy to rely on workouts alone to offset poor dietary choices. Also, it would take hours of intense physical activity to “burn off” calories from a single indulgent meal. Sustainable eating habits matter far more than offsetting your bad habits with workouts.

Myth 5: Holiday weight gain comes only from food.

Fact: Sleep, stress, alcohol, and hormones also play a role.

Increased food intake paired with decreased physical activity is a major contributor to holiday weight gain, but it isn’t the only one to blame. Several factors, such as late nights, high sugar intake, and stress hormones, can also lead to bloating and temporary weight fluctuations.

How CoolSculpting Elite Helps after the holidays

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we have CoolSculpting Elite in Singapore that can boost your fitness results. It is a non-invasive fat reduction procedure that uses Cryolipolysis, a process that applies controlled cooling to freeze and destroy fat cells without harming the surrounding skin or tissues. 

1. Targets fat, not water weight through fat freezing that removes actual fat cells for lasting contouring. Using controlled cooling temperatures, it freezes fat cells to the point of natural elimination, which are then processed by the lymphatic system and flushed as waste over the next few weeks or months. 
2. Ideal for stubborn areas or spots that don’t “bounce back,” such as the lower belly, love handles, and upper arms. The elite system also has updated applicators that efficiently target problem areas, as well as allow treatment of two areas at the same time (dual applicators).
3. Boosts your 2026 fitness goals by enhancing your natural results while you stay active and healthy. CoolSculpting Elite complements a healthy lifestyle by freezing and eliminating fat bulges that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. While it is NOT a weight loss solution, it can help you achieve a more sculpted physique. 
4. No downtime, which means you can return right back into holiday plans, work, or workouts after your session. It is important to keep in mind, however, that while most have no issues with fat freezing, there are potential side effects like redness, swelling, and bruising. These are temporary and resolve on their own.

For further reading: 11 Common Questions About CoolSculpting Elite Answered

Who is a good candidate?

As previously mentioned, CoolSculpting Elite is a body contouring procedure designed for resistant areas or stubborn pockets of fat. It is neither a weight loss solution nor a substitute for regular diet and exercise. Ideal candidates include those who:

• Are close to their ideal or normal weight
• Struggle with stubborn, localized fat pockets
• Prefer a non-surgical option 
• Want subtle but noticeable contouring
• Can maintain consistent lifestyle habits

Other holiday wellness tips to support your results

Here are simple habits that prevent too much unnecessary weight gain and support your CoolSculpting Elite in Singapore results:

• Stay hydrated – this helps control cravings and reduce water retention.
• Prioritize sleep – sufficient sleep helps regulate hunger hormones and improve the body’s ability to process food.
• Eat mindfully (not emotionally or out of routine) – this supports a healthier  relationship with food and helps you build sustainable habits.
• Don’t skip meals – skipping not only slows metabolism, but also causes you to burn fewer calories. It can also lead to overeating.
• Balance indulgence with nutrient-rich meals – focus on habits that support both enjoyment and satiety without eating too many calories. 

For further reading: Keep Fat from Returning: Maintain the Results of Your Fat Freezing

Enjoy the holidays and sculpt smarter

Holiday weight gain is often exaggerated, and most of it isn’t permanent. With healthy habits and the right aesthetic tools, you can enjoy the season without stress.

For stubborn areas that don’t respond to your efforts, CoolSculpting Elite offers a safe, effective, and non-surgical solution for fat reduction. WhatsApp us today at +65 9780 2079 to book a consultation and body assessment with one of our aesthetic doctors in Singapore.