The countdown to Christmas has begun. The lights are on on Grafton Street, Christmas trees are being assembled and there’s a glint in your children’s eyes as they await Santa’s arrival.
The hustle and bustle of town is expecting your arrival as you prepare to take on the crowded checkouts and heavy traffic in an effort to purchase your list of presents.
With so many activities to occupy your time, you may start to forget about one very important aspect of your life — your health.
Whatever your reason, your mirror won’t lie to you the next time you try on your party dress. If you decide to offer up your training regime as the sacrificial lamb, your dress might reveal all your indiscretions of the past, as the average person gains up to 10lbs of fat during the month of December.
To gain 10lbs is an achievement but it is one that will be accomplished with some ease by many.
The Christmas dinner alone can pack 3,500 calories, enough to gain one pound of fat, but it will be your decision to slack off your training that will tip the scales in your waistline’s favour.
Fitness is for life, not just the 11 months before Christmas. You have never eaten anything by accident so you must be 100pc responsible for what happens to your body over the festive season.
You must make the most use of your available time to stay in shape as it is the people who gain 10lbs of fat who will be the first to join a gym in the New Year.
Why be that person? Be the person who loses eight to 10lbs during the same timeframe.
It is very achievable, with a consistent two pounds a week. Then, when you hit the New Year’s Eve party, you’ll be 20lbs leaner than your friend!
So what options are available to you when the comfort and warmth of the sofa seems more appealing than an hour of training?
You need to set weight and exercise goals. According to ZigZiglar, an expert on goal setting, only three per cent of people take the time and effort necessary to put their goals to paper.
Make this effort and make the following commitments to yourself:
Identify what you want to accomplish and make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. Eight pounds of fat loss over four weeks is achievable.
You must pay yourself first. If you know you are working late, you must train before work so your training is not sacrificed by the increased demands of your working life.
You must commit to four training sessions a week, of at least 45 minutes duration, alternating between weight-training days and interval-training sessions.
The training days and times are fixed: do not sacrifice them to go shopping. Perform your training and then go shopping.
Research continually proves that five small meals, eaten regularly, is a better method for fat loss that three large meals of the same quantity eaten over the day. So eat off smaller sized plates.
Never, ever go shopping on an empty stomach. There will be enough temptation in the food aisles without you walking down them when your blood sugar is low.
