Beat Holiday Weight Gain: Join Duke’s Festive Fit Focus

Join a self-guided program to maintain your wellness from Thanksgiving to New Year’s

A graphic reads "Festive Fit Focus" with holiday lights in the background.
Festive Fit Focus is a self-guided program to help staff and faculty get through the holiday season while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Graphic by Paul Figuerado

The time around the end-of-year holidays is one long stretch of temptation of tasty food and treats that come with tradition and gatherings.

On average, a person gains 0.8 to 2 pounds in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the Journal of Obesity estimates. Over the years, that can add up.

LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program, aims to help staff and faculty stick to a healthy lifestyle over the holidays with Festive Fit Focus. The self-guided program runs from Nov. 11 to Jan. 6, and provides support, tips and encouragement for employees who want to maintain their weight and overall wellness during the winter holiday season. Registration opens Oct. 30.

“Festive Fit Focus is designed to go beyond fitness routines — it's about building a lasting commitment to your well-being,” said Carlos Velasquez, a fitness specialist for LIVE FOR LIFE.

Over eight weeks, participants receive weekly emails with tips for adopting or maintaining healthy behaviors. The emails will include healthy recipes, stress management tools and physical activity suggestions – along with encouraging messages.

Employees confidentially report their weight online each week by the end of business day every Monday. At the end of the program, participants receive LIVE FOR LIFE dollars that correspond with the number of times they reported their weight.

“By focusing on both physical and mental health, we aim to help you stay empowered and energized, even when life gets busy,” Velasquez said. “It's not just about working out; it's about creating a sustainable lifestyle that supports you through every season, including the holiday hustle.”

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