Keeping Trim with all the Trimmings
Have you been weight-ing for a magic pill to finally come around?
Have you tried going keto, paleo, vegan or carnivore to lose a couple of kilos, only to find yourself lasting a week or two? Then, of course, you stuff yourself silly like a turkey on Thanksgiving.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there is no magic elixir that will help you get to your ideal weight. You don’t need to deprive yourself of life’s goodness to lose weight. You can enjoy yourself, eat the food you love and still lose weight. Even Christmas pudding. I see your dropped jaws. Let me explain.
The best way to lose weight is to steer clear of unhealthy eating patterns and focus on nourishing your body with real, fresh produce.
This doesn’t mean not enjoying any of your favourite foods ever again. You can enjoy your favourite foods in moderation. However, I know how hard it can be to stay on track during the holiday period. There will be days and days of temptation.
At the end of the year, it’s so important to take the time to recharge and connect with your family and friends. It’s a time to be kind to yourself.
It’s okay to enjoy a treat now and then.
When it comes to weight loss, the main issue we face at this time of year is making sure not every meal turns into a decadent one. It’s like playing bumper cars and trying to avoid every other car, hurdle and speed bump along the way. It can seem impossible and sometimes, you will hit that hurdle.
Does that mean you give up? No, absolutely not. You dust yourself off, check in with your car and try again. With desserts in abundance and drinks flowing, you may feel like you’re in for an impossible ride. It’s okay if you bump into a hurdle and eat a piece of cake. Don’t beat yourself up over it! Eat the cake and drive again. You’ve got this.
Let’s be realistic
The truth is, Christmas isn’t usually the time to set insane weight loss goals. During this period, there’s a lot less structure. We tend to let down our walls and usually, we just want to party hard and chill out. While I’m not encouraging us to turn into Santa with a big belly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself with unrealistic expectations! Weight loss in this period is possible, it can just take a bit of work.
Keep the stress down and enjoy yourselves.
The holidays are a time to wind down and relax, not stress. Stress increases our stress hormone, cortisol, which can inhibit weight loss. Focus on maintaining your current weight. Don’t overindulge, stress, feel guilty and make yourself suffer.
Eating and drinking too much and then punishing yourself with a detox diet in January is an unhealthy behaviour pattern.
A healthy life is one that’s lived all-year-round; it’s not just for New Year’s resolutions...
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