The holiday season brings families together to have fun and create memories that will last a lifetime. However, not many people know that the weight they gain over the holidays could also last a lifetime.

Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that the average American only gains about one pound over the holiday season. This information is based on a 2000 study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

One reason for the weight gain is the variety of food that is offered during the holidays. Food favorites can include turkey, ham , rice, and tomato soup. Cheesecakes, pies, truffles, sugar cookies, cake, fudge, figgy pudding, eggnog and gingerbread men are all fatty desserts that are usually part holiday traditions.

“Well usually I like brisket with like mashed potatoes and yams and beans,” said junior, Robert Mizuhara. Mizuhara continued to say “My favorite dessert would probably be my grandma’s homemade boysenberry cobbler with some vanilla ice cream.”

Just like Mizuhara, lots of families have their own personal food they look forward to every year.

“New Years Eve, me and my family and I go out to a restaurant until New Years. We also have a family dinner and family breakfast so there is a lot of eating going on,” said junior, Parsa Attari. “We usually eat Persian food…we have a bunch of stews and kabobs. Kabobs are really good.”

Students have mixed ways to deal with the amount of food they had to eat.

When asked about his holiday food habits, junior Sean Mullins responded, “I just eat.” Mullins continued by saying, “I might go for a run after Thanksgiving so I can burn off some of the calories because I eat more than I need.”

Some students feel that the time during the holidays is truly a time to relax from their regular healthy habits.

“During the holidays is kind of my break to eat, get a lot of sleep and basically rest. Not really work out because I do that during the school year,” said Attari, who happens to play for Carlmont’s junior varsity water polo team, “I try not to do it during break because I want to get some rest and eat.”

Students responded pretty similarly saying that you need to go outside and get active. Also limiting your portion size is important.

“I take a boxing and conditioning class,” said proud junior Evan Smith. He would then stress that his tip to staying in shape was “Be outside. If you’re outside you are getting exercise.”

“Don’t be dumb. Eat healthy,” said sophomore Dominic Blanks.

“Just make healthy choices,” said Charlotte Lewis. “Don’t overeat during the holidays. … Christmas, Thanksgiving. On those days, fine, have at it but on other days try to be more moderate about what you eat.”