Do you know when I first hear this statement in the year? Usually around the beginning to middle of September - four months away from Christmas, when even Santa isn't thinking about it!!
Such is the impact that those two days out of the 365 days in the year have on some of us.
Why do you think that is? A lot is down to the media and organisations who make most of their money at that time, such as Party Venues, Gift Shops and Websites. Supermarkets start to slowly get Christmas into our consciousness with subtle advertising and adding Christmas items into the "Seasonal Goods" aisle alongside the gardening tools and Halloween items, but, mainly it is down to the habits and perceptions we have around Christmas that start in childhood. As a lot of my clients know, from the group counselling they receive from me, what happens to us in childhood around food and the emotional use of food stays with us for life and we will follow those habits and perceptions unconsciously, unless we choose to change; - and therein lies the key - choosing to change rather than habitually following the same old routines.
Let's now view it in a different way. Christmas is currently nine weeks away. At an average weight loss of 3lbs for ladies and 5lbs for men on the Total Programme you could have lost between 2 to 3 stones by then, dropped 2-3 sizes in clothing, be fitter, healthier, have more energy for the dance floor, and, most importantly, have gained a different perspective on food and alcohol which could mean a Christmas without sleeping most of the day away and waking irritable and bloated after consuming far too much food and alcohol over lunch. You could also have saved money - more of that later.
Now, I wonder how many of you are now saying "but I like stuffing myself silly on Christmas Day, that's what it's all about isn't it?" Is it? Is it really about purchasing more food and drink than you can possibly consume, probably throwing quite a lot away after the festivities which is money down the drain, literally, assaulting your body with so much food it has to send you to sleep in the afternoon in order to gain enough energy to push the excess food through your system
- all in the name of tradition?
What if you viewed the important bits of Christmas as the time spent with family and friends, the time off work (unless you are the one struggling to get the oversized turkey in the oven and juggling more saucepans than there is space for on the hob!), the traditional TV viewing, if you have children, the joy of watching them opening their presents, wrapping up warm to walk in the brisk air and possibly put that new bike or scooter through it's paces? Then put the food into context as just another meal.
All the elements of the festive season remain, the family traditions, the fun, the present giving, but the difference is you'll be the happy and slim one without the stomach ache and hangover the following day.
As an added bonus, you could also find yourself saving money. If you currently spend over £10 a day on food (not difficult if you regularly buy lunch, takeaway coffees, Friday night takeaway, meal out at the weekend, etc) you could be saving money as well as losing weight as the Programmes start at £7.50 a day. Try keeping a log for the next seven days and write down every penny you spend on food and drink, you could be surprised.
So, lets compare, the next nine weeks could leave you exactly the same as you are today, or possibly heavier if you regularly go to a lot of pre-Christmas events where you habitually overeat and/or over drink, or, up to three stone lighter having potentially saved nearly £160 to go towards some great presents. Plus, some illuminating new insights into your use of food and relationship with food to help you even further over the Christmas season.
Interesting choice isn't it?
If you want to choose the slim, fit, and happy route then come and meet me and we can chat about how I may be able to help you? Give me a call on 01509 234433 or email me at debbie.ford@lighterlifecounsellor.com or text on 07860 017700 (text only, this is not a mobile phone no.) and I'd be delighted to meet you and tell you more about the Programmes we offer in a relaxed environment with absolutely no "hard sell" involved.
I look forward to meeting you.
Best wishes,
Debbie Ford
LighterLifeOh, and one other thought: 
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