by Ethel Smith

Created on: December 28, 2008   Last Updated: January 03, 2009

Having shed too many monetary pounds in the run up to Christmas, most of us, will have unfortunately gained quite a few fat pounds over this short holiday period. It never ceases to amaze me how hard it is to shift even a couple of pounds of weight, but how oh so very easy it is to gain more than a fair few quickly, that is if you do not want to. By now most of us will be having to squeeze into such things as our work clothes and realising that we need to take drastic action and fast. Here are a few tips which I hope are helpful in assisting you to lose those holiday pounds, that are of the most unwelcome kind.

CHOOSE YOUR TIME WELL.

Much as you can start to cut back a little on fatty treats and the like it is really pointless if your house is still full to the rafters with chocolate, biscuits, alcohol, cakes and more. Sure some of these may have a long shelf life and, if they are still unopened, can be put away out of sight until later in the year. However if you will be going to parties for the rest of December it may be as well to wait a little before you begin to diet. However, one of the truest sayings is 'strike whilst the iron is hot' and this may be the best move for you. Even just cutting back on those extra luxurious treats still lurking around your home will be a good start. Limiting your alcohol intake and making sure that drink's mixers are of the low calorie kind can save you a heap of calories.

EXERCISE

Of course most of us over the Christmas period have changed our routines. We have gone from racing around frantically shopping, preparing for Christmas and cleaning to becoming couch potatoes. So to kick start any weight loss look at increasing the amount of exercise you take. Try taking the dog for a walk a little more often and for a little further distance. Get out and about on foot instead of sat in a car. Have a really good post Christmas clean around the home and catch up on chores such as ironing. Dance around whilst you are working, to one of those many Christmas CDs which you received as a gift. It does not matter what you do just get moving. Try to make the exercise relevant to you and your lifestyle, so that it is not too much of a chore.

MORE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

Cut back on breads and meat serving your meals with huge portions of vegetables and very little gravy and sauces. Avoid pastry desserts and have some seasonal fruit instead. Most of us have plenty of fruit slowly shrivelling up in a fruit bowl on the table. Why let it go to waste?

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