How does moderation actually look over Christmas?
This may seem like a simple question with an easy answer but obviously it’s not because on average people gain 3/5lbs over the festive period. Instead of moderating food over Xmas what most do is enter into the classic binge restrict cycle whereby they eat like they’re a prisoner on death row getting their final meal and then become a virtual breatharian in January living off oxygen, HIIT classes and self loathing. This isn’t a fun place to be but fortunately there is an easier way. Follow a few of these guidelines and you’ll find you can have fun without any of the negative consequences.
Christmas morning don’t go straight for the chocolate, this will set you up for the day badly. Start off with some gratitude and intention setting for the day instead, perhaps a love and kindness meditation. This will help you feel calm, in control and balanced, instead of hypoglycemic before you’ve even opened your presents.
While the family has a full English have some scrambled or poached egg on toast, you’re still joining in, and if it’s a champagne breakfast, have one small glass not the bottle. Make sure you drink lots of water so you’re not pissed and raking up childhood traumas by 11am.
Walking is a Christmas tradition, remember you have legs.
Choose a selection of chocolates to enjoy, you might choose 3 or 4 from a box you received. Put the rest away and know that you can enjoy them over the next few days and they will still be there! There is no urgency to finish them since you are not in fact on death row.
When Christmas dinner arrives eat to satisfaction or fullness but not uncomfortably full. If you are full, leave food on your plate and no you don’t have to eat the extra plate of dessert because it’s there and you don’t have to pick at the cheese board because it’s in front of you. If you find yourself doing this slow down, focus on the social connection instead, hydrate and remind yourself once more you’re not on death row and you can have a cheese board whenever you like.
Don’t get second or third helpings, it’s okay you won’t starve, you live in the first world.
Have a little taste of everything and enjoy talking about the food with the people around you. This will slow things down and take the emphasis off trying to win a Guinness world record for most food eaten in one sitting.
After dinner a postprandial walk is a great idea, or you could have a nap instead of getting steadily more drunk. The aim is to be merry and festive, not completely wankered by the time the Queen gives her speech.
In the evening watching Xmas tv have a few select chocolates or a dessert you have specifically earmarked to eat and enjoy it to its fullest. Don’t continue eating more after it’s gone. Calm down Princess there are supermarket aisles filled with this food all year.
In the late evening have a couple of Baileys or your fave Xmas drink and then stop, before you start with the home truths. Get some water, put your Xmas pjs on and get a good night’s rest.
Follow this guide for boxing day and then from 28 to new years eve rein it in, exercise because you love yourself not as punishment for overeating, and then when January comes you won’t feel like you have to live off kale and HIIT, Instead you’ll know you can include all of this delicious food whenever you want in moderation, and exercise is for life, not just for two hellish weeks after Xmas.
If you’re not there yet don’t panic, help is on hand. It’s possible. Get in touch.
