“Reality Check” is an article series which looks at common mistakes people make when they begin dieting for weight loss. We’ll check out some ‘thought adjustments’ that will help you make better choices on your journey. The articles include tips, new ideas to try, strategies to follow, and encouragement to keep you moving forward.

Holiday diet dos and don’ts

Ever heard this logic?:

“The best plan over the festive season is to just give your diet a break. I mean, you need to eat a lot to enjoy yourself, so why even fight it? Just let it go, and start again in the New Year.”  

Here’s why it doesn’t work…

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The festive season is one of the toughest times of the year to be on diet. It’s the time of year where we seem to continually go to parties and other events where food – and not the healthy kind – takes centre stage.

So what do most dieters do in this time?

They simply forget about the diet for a month. And from their point of view, it makes total sense. It’s much easier to pretend you’re not on diet than to constantly have to think about making decisions that will help your progress in the long run, or at least not harm it too much.

The problem is, life is like a longer, slower version of the festive season. You are required – if you wish to be toned and healthy – to make these sorts of decisions all the time. So if you can’t manage a month without doing too much damage to your waist line, then how are you going to do twenty years? Or fifty years?!

You CAN still enjoy yourself

The reality of the festive season is that while it may be tough, you can enjoy yourself, eat a LITTLE “naughty” food, and still come out of it okay, if you just try. But you’ll need to think, plan, and constantly be on the lookout for opportunities to make the best choices possible. Going to a party tonight? Maybe skip breakfast, and a eat a small salad for lunch.

All you really need to do is THINK about your diet more than usual and you’ll be fine. Just don’t throw your diet away… It’ll be too tough to get it going again.

Read more in the ‘reality check’ series below:

 

While All4Women endeavours to ensure health articles are based on scientific research, health articles should not be considered as a replacement for professional medical advice. Should you have concerns related to this content, it is advised that you discuss them with your personal healthcare provider.