A lot of the work we do in groups is looking at out dated perceptions about food and our relationship with it and choosing to discard the stuff that doesn't help.
Christmas is almost the pinnacle of those perceptions which may have been initially instilled in our brains at childhood, such as: You have to put on a 'good spread', we've got all these people coming so we'll need masses more food, we must have nibbles and treats for people if they pop in. And the one that over rides them all "Well, it's only once a year isn't it?"
Add in to this all the hype that surrounds it from pop songs "It's Christmasssss" (Slade), to parties that start in November, to supermarket and retailer ads which almost bully you into believing that if you don't spend a huge amount on food, drink and presents, no-one is going to have a good time and it can become quite a pressurised time.
A recent survey found that on Christmas Day alone, people who subscribe to deep set beliefs about how much you should consume that day can eat up to 10,000 calories in one day alone.
So, without wanting to dampen the spirit, here's how you can achieve a bit more of a realistic balance:
1. Do some calorie swops, eg boiled new potatoes with the turkey rather than roast.
2. For the main meal itself make sure 50% of the plate belongs to vegetables with the stuffing, pigs in blankets and potatoes covering just 25% of the plate (on one level, not piled high!), and the other 25% for the turkey.
3. Eat slowly and mindfully and, when full, stop! Don't lean back and think "I'll just wait 10 minutes and then I'll be able to get the rest of it down me" if your body is saying it's full, it's full!
4. Keep yourself hydrated with water particularly if you are going to be drinking more alcohol than usual. Your liver will thank you, you won't have a massive hangover the next day and you'll have kept your stomach partially filled so won't want to eat as much.
5. Move more. Given the current spate of weather fluctuations it's quite likely that we'll have blue skies and sunshine on Christmas Day, so make the most of it, wrap up warm and go for a walk, notice all the things about nature that you don't normally notice, like the confused gardens that are already sprouting spring plants!
6. Don't feel pressurised by others into eating and drinking more than you want - it's your body, you decide how to treat it.
7. Keep yourself occupied - playing with the kids and their new toys is a good way, or, adult colouring books and dot to dots will while away a few hours without eating.
8. Volunteer to do the washing up - that'll burn off a few calories.
9. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you have to eat up all the leftovers. Freeze what is freezeable and throw the rest away,or, if things are still in packets and tins, donate them to a shelter who feed the homeless. If none of that appeals, imagine your black wheelie bin wearing one of your outfits because by putting the left overs in you rather than in the bin you are effectively using yourself like a bin!
10. Follow the 5:2 Plan over the Christmas and New Year and then plan to start the full Programme in January. You can come and talk to me about it now without having to commit and you can buy ad hoc amounts of foodpacks off me like a shop to follow 5:2 (that's five days of eating plus two days of total abstinence on just foodpacks).
And if you want to permanently change the way you think about food and use food in 2016 then come and talk to me about the LighterLife Life Change Programmes.
I run weekly groups on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for both Men and Women, Total and Lite Programmes plus the Fast option and a support group for Life Members. Everyone is supported in their journey to full awareness and a slim, fit, healthy body.
If this sounds like the different approach to weight loss and weight maintaining you have been looking for then why not 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'll be delighted to meet you and tell you more about the Programmes we offer in a relaxed environment with absolutely no "hard sell" involved. If you want more information first, then just email me and I'll send you more details and I'll be happy to answer any specific questions.
If you are looking to return to one of the Programmes then contact me for full details of options I can offer you. Next Bootcamp for past clients opens up on Monday 4th January 2016 - contact me to secure a place.
I look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes,
Debbie Ford
Counsellor for Loughborough and surrounding areas
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