5 Ways to lose weight over Christmas

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Give the Christmas menu a slimming makeover

It’s easy to let your guard down and lose sight of your weight-loss goals when faced with delicious rich gravies, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sweet cranberry sauces and delectable trifles.  Fortunately, sticking to a healthy diet over Christmas doesn't have to be a bore - there are lots of healthy alternatives that are just as tasty and in keeping with traditional fare.

“Simply apply sound nutritional principles,” advises Mary Holroyd, founder and Chairman of Weigh-Less. “Let them guide you through the pitfalls that face us during the season that is generally associated with excess and gluttony!”

5 Ways to lose weight over Christmas

Heidi Lobel, Weigh-Less dietitian, recommends the following tips to help you reach your weight-loss goals:

1. It’s all about choice! Prepare meals with healthy ingredients and load up your fridge and pantry with low GI and low-fat options. This will ensure that you enjoy meals with the same great taste, but with fewer kilojoules.
2. Carefully manage your portion sizes. Don’t pick whilst cooking, or have second helpings at meal times.
3. Never attend a function or family gathering feeling ravenous. You may be tempted to overindulge in poor food choices. Snack on fruit, lean biltong or low-fat yoghurt before you arrive.
4. Combine low-fat proteins with your low GI carbohydrates. This will help you feel fuller for longer and it can go a long way towards maximising weight loss.
5. Don’t expect to be perfect. If you overindulge at a specific meal, get straight back to following your healthy Eating Plan. Don’t let one moment of weakness ruin all your progress.

Get active

Being on holiday generally means more time on your hands. Use this time effectively and take advantage of the fantastic summer climate. Spend time outdoors, participate in healthy activities that will maintain your exercise levels and burn off any kilojoules that may have snuck past your best defences, advises Holroyd.

RELATED: How to get fit this festive season

Plan meals in advance

Planning menus in advance will ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients to produce options that fit into healthy eating plans. There is an abundance of healthy, Weigh-Less recipes on their website, designed to help you glide through the festive season guilt free.

Read on for a festive and healthy leg of lamb recipe…

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