The Ripped Body Podcast “Should You Cut Through the Holidays? — with Andy and Matt”
Oct 21, 2025
Andy and Matt dive into the tricky waters of dieting during the holiday season. They discuss the pros and cons of cutting calories versus taking a maintenance break. Learn how to adjust your calorie intake for a holiday maintenance period and why staying on track can help build lasting habits. They also explore personal circumstances that influence dieting decisions and share powerful strategies for getting back on track after a slip-up. Plus, gain insights into how their coaching philosophies have evolved over the years!
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Take A Planned Maintenance Break
- Consider intentionally taking a maintenance diet break through the holidays instead of continuing a low-calorie cut.
- Add ~250–300 calories (or use the weight-rate heuristic) to reduce mental stress and return refreshed in January.
How To Calculate Maintenance Calories
- To reach maintenance, add calories based on recent weight loss rate and a small metabolic adaptation buffer.
- Monitor weight and adjust by a couple hundred calories if weight drifts upward after glycogen/water rebound.
Holidays As Habit Practice
- Holidays can be a training ground to practice habits under real-life stressors.
- Learning to succeed when circumstances are messy builds durability and long-term results.