Keep up your Weight Loss Motivation in December

Wanting to lose weight in December is the pits, isn’t it? While
you may struggle the rest of the year with not eating too much
and choosing healthy foods it’s that bit more difficult when all
around you are wolfing down goodies of every kind with seemingly
total abandon.

Everyone you visit offers you tempting treats and no doubt you
have more than enough food at home to sink a battleship for the
visitors you get. And the food doesn’t always stay “just for
guests” once it calls your name from the cupboard.

But if you want to avoid regret with even more pounds to lose by
January then you need to be stronger than ever.

1. Daily reminder

Every day remind yourself of your reasons for losing weight. Why
do you you want this? Why is that important to you? Ask yourself
whether any temporary pleasure from food is worth the regret you
will feel at going backwards in your plan.

2. Set an intention

Before every meal set an intention that you will enjoy it and
have what you want but that you will eat just enough to satisfy
your hunger and no more.

3. Enjoy the special foods

Don’t deny yourself your favourites but have just a little of
those things which you know are full of calories. Enjoy a little
as much as a lot by eating the food slowly and really tasting
it.

4. Stock up

Treat yourself to some healthy foods that you might not normally
buy, such as smoked lean meats and fish, exotic fruits and
vegetables, caviar. Make food special without the calories so
that you don’t feel deprived at all.

5. Quality not quantity

Buy the very best of everything you can afford and savour it. If
you’re going to buy chocolate get a small box of handmade
exquisite Belgian chocolates and not a multi-pack of cheap
chocolate bars. That way you really feel you are celebrating in
style but you won’t go too overboard.

6. Make a Game of “No”

If you tend to eat just because food is offered without even
thinking about it, now is a great time to practise saying “No
thanks not just now” or even “Thanks – I’ll take a piece for
later” because food will be offered everywhere you go! Look at
this like a game you are playing and keep your score. How many
times can you say “no” in December?

7. Deal with lapses

If you over-indulge at any time, don’t abandon all hope and give
up until the party season is over. One meal won’t do much damage
- after all you have to eat an additional 3500 calories to gain
a pound. It’s when you do this day in day out for the whole
period that you start piling on the pounds. So just get right
back on track and start again at the very next meal – eat when
you’re hungry, stop when you’re full.

8. Keep up your exercise

Even if you’re too busy to go to the gym, do a little every day
at home. Even 10 minutes walking or stair-stepping a day will
help remind you that you are taking active steps towards your
goal and will help you avoid thoughts of giving up for the
month. If you can fit in several sessions through the day so
much the better. When you keep as active as possible as you go
about your day you will be gently reminding yourself that you
care about your shape and your health and it will be easier to
keep things in check.

9. Looking good

Wear your nicest clothes throughout the period. Make the effort
with your hair, nails and makeup and show yourself that you
deserve the very best. Instead of giving yourself food as a
reward or when you you need cheering up, give yourself the best
possible care and attention.

10. Gift of health

If you have a tradition of giving presents in December (or even
if you don’t) ask for or treat yourself to a few gifts that will
help motivate you. An exercise video, a voucher for a personal
trainer or a piece of home gym equipment ( such as a rebounder,
step or balance ball) are great to help kick start a new
exercise plan.

Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small

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