Stop Delaying Your Health Goals: 3 Reasons to Start Losing Weight in December

The World Health Organization estimates that 43% of adults are overweight and 16% are living with obesity, so if you’re thinking about adding “lose weight” to your New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone.

Most people delay their weight loss goals during the holiday season and tell themselves they’ll “start in January.”

But waiting until the New Year can actually keep you stuck in the same frustrating cycle year after year.

At Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center, Dr. N'Dama Bamba, MD, MPH, and our team encourage you to take small yet meaningful steps now so you can start the new year with momentum already underway.

Below, Dr. Bamba shares three powerful reasons to begin your weight-loss journey this December.

1. You’ll start the new year ahead

January 1st doesn’t magically make healthy habits easier. In fact, the pressure of “New Year, new me” can feel overwhelming to many people.

Starting in December means:

You enter January with real progress and momentum
You avoid the guilt and discouragement that often follow holiday overeating
You build habits gradually, which makes them more sustainable

Instead of scrambling to fix holiday weight gain, you’ll already be moving in the right direction. Considering that the average holiday weight gain is two pounds, starting in December helps you avoid adding on two more pounds.

2. Small changes now prevent bigger health problems later

Weight gain is more than a cosmetic concern. It’s directly connected to your long-term health. Even modest progress can lower your risk of developing or worsening chronic conditions like:

High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea
Joint pain

Losing weight can even help reverse some conditions. For example, research published by the British Medical Journal states that prediabetes could be reversed with a weight loss of 33 pounds (15 kilograms) and keeping it off.

If you’re trying to reverse prediabetes, starting in December gets you closer to your goal by the time January arrives.

In other words, starting your weight loss plans in December gives your body a head start. You stabilize your blood sugar, improve inflammation, and lighten the load on your heart and joints before the busiest holiday weeks hit.

Even a few pounds can make a meaningful difference in how you feel.

3. You’ll build habits that actually last

Crash diets in January fail because they’re drastic and stressful. But December is ideal for practicing healthy habits in real life: navigating parties, busy schedules, and all.

This helps you:

Learn portion control during holiday meals
Make better choices in social settings
Build resilience around food triggers
Practice consistency when life is full
Develop a healthier relationship with eating

If you can build healthy habits during the hardest month, you can keep them all year long.

You don’t have to do it alone

At Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center, we offer comprehensive weight-management support. We help you set realistic goals, understand what your body needs, and create a plan you can stick to during December and beyond.

Your medical weight loss plan may include exercise programs, nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, and medication management.

Dr. Bamba may also recommend prescription weight loss medication to jump-start your weight loss. If you have chronic conditions related to weight challenges (like diabetes), she can help you manage those, too.

Start today…your future self will thank you

Don’t wait for January to start feeling better and shedding those unwanted pounds. A healthier, more energized, and more confident you can begin right now.

Schedule your weight-loss consultation with Dr. Bamba today, so you can step into the New Year already on track.

You can also give us a call at 443-493-7760.