Reasons Not to Diet at Christmas

You can usually tell when the Christmas season is approaching. Before you have even recovered from Halloween, Christmas logos begin appearing on packets of food. Ordinary cakes and biscuits have sprigs of holly and snowflakes printed on their packaging and before you know it, the supermarket shelves are filled with delightful Christmas treats of the fattening kind. For people who are on a diet, Christmas can be the beginning of a nightmare. Nobody wants to refuse the delicious dishes on offer, but the worry of gaining weight triggers a nagging voice in your head telling you to stop before you begin. While it isn't wise to cram yourself full of every food on offer, here are a few reasons why you shouldn't worry about dieting at Christmas!

A little of what you fancy does you good

If you have ever heard that phrase, you will know just how true it is. There is nothing more depressing than watching your family and friends eating mince pies and cream while you feel like Rudolph nibbling on a carrot! It will feel immensely satisfying to you if you eat something you want instead of eating something you feel you should eat.

It removes extra worry

At Christmas, there are already many stresses weighing on us as we prepare. Thinking about presents, cards, hiding gifts from the kids, keeping a check on your budget and normal every day life is more than enough for one person to handle. When you factor in the panic about having healthy food for yourself and worrying about whether you can resist the temptation of an extra helping of turkey, it is enough to make anyone's Christmas feel bleak. Putting on a few pounds over Christmas is a reality for almost everyone. Gaining weight over Christmas should not be something to get upset about.

Weight gain can be removed almost as easily as it was put on

If you have already lost a lot of weight, you will know that it is a hard struggle. Losing weight healthily and responsibly is the key. But unless you eat everyone's Christmas lunches, desserts and nibbles there is no way you will put on so much weight that it will take months to lose. Last year I put on five pounds during the week before and including Christmas. By New Year I had lost three of those pounds and the week after that I was back to normal. You will find that as soon as you resume your healthy living and get back to your exercise regime, any weight gained over Christmas will fall right back off again.

It is important to note that if you are on a strict diet that requires you eat sensibly, you MUST speak to your doctor before attempting to go a little crazy with Christmas food. This advice is strictly for those who have no health problems and are simply working themselves up into a frenzy over breaking their own personal diet goals. Enjoy your Christmas, and worry about the diet afterwards!