Many events construe to make a dieter’s life more difficult. Christmas, we know, is a biggie but this cold snap we’ve been having in the UK has played havoc with all my good intentions going into the festive season. I’ve gained three pounds but... I refuse to beat myself up about it. My body demands more food and it’s getting it! I’ve been having sweet cravings driving me to distraction. So I’ve given in, a bit (see pic). Our bodies need fuel when it’s cold. Very annoying for this to happen a week before Christmas when we allow ourselves to drop the diet but the cold isn’t due to last and our Christmas will, as usual in the UK, be a mild one. So I’m hoping these sweet cravings will ease up once the weather does.
One advantage of this pre-Christmas weight gain is it might reduce my Christmas feasting, a bit at least. I’ve already had plenty treats so the urge to gorge might not be so strong. That might be the key to getting through Christmas without piling on the pounds. A little leeway, of course. But not going at it like an overly-eager sleek racehorse finally let out the traps.
While Christmas feels like an excuse to binge January brings the diet. The remorse. The new year’s resolutions and determination that this year will be different. How often is it though? January is a terrible time to resolve to do anything! The weather in the northern hemisphere gets worse, there’s no Christmas to offer relief, and all you’ve got to look forward to is February - the Monday of the year. (January is more like Sunday night). Imagine how much easier January will be if you don’t gain too much weight over Christmas. That’s my resolve. Every pound not gained over Christmas is one less to lose in January.
This is my last blog before the festive season kicks in. If you have been, thank you very much for reading my Substack this year. I don’t know if it’s helped you but it’s helped me. Making this commitment to chart my weight-loss journey has kept me on track and it could maybe help you too if you make a similar commitment in some way. Join a group, diet with others, chart your progress. It’s always easier to do things together. We humans are social beings and we do better in groups than alone. I hope you’ll stay with me next year as we can carry on our weight loss journey together.
Have a lovely Christmas and I wish you and yours a very happy new year. See you in 2023!