So the Christmas and New Year festivities are well and truly over and, perhaps, like many others you’ve over-indulged. The bathroom scales may be reading a kilo or so more than they did last year. And you made a New Year resolution to lose weight in 2015 but are already faltering.
In my experience those resolutions made at midnight on 1st January rarely last beyond the beginning of February. We’re full of determination to make that change this year. And just like previous years all those good intentions fade over time leaving you feeling fed up, frustrated, demotivated, and perhaps a little guilty and angry with yourself for being so weak willed.
You may be glad to know that you are not alone. The seven tips below have been useful in helping people change their relationship with food and how they feel about themselves.
LOSE WEIGHT AND MAINTAIN IT FOR LIFE
- Consider it as reducing your weight. It may seem crazy but the word ‘loss’ can conjure up emotions such as sadness, missing something or someone and disappointment. We also try to find things that we’ve lost too, like keys. And you don’t really want to find that weight again do you?
- Change how you think about the amount of weight you want to reduce. It can be difficult to picture yourself having achieved your goal, as the gap between where you are now and where you want to be seems unreachable. Break down your weight reduction into smaller, more manageable, steps.
- Think of it as a change in your relationship with yourself and food that will last a lifetime. It’s not just for a wedding or special event. Perhaps your weight keeps yo-yoing up and down? It’s not only about the food but how you think of yourself and what food means to you.
- As children we are often told to eat up all our food to grow big and strong. That teaching is still there in the back of our minds and influences us when we try to change behaviours. Give yourself permission to leave food on your plate and eat smaller portions.
- Sometimes having a little of something you enjoy is better than denying yourself altogether. It is a choice you make. Before you choose, ask yourself “is this going to take me nearer or further away from my goal?” This will help you to consider your future self and the impact of the choices you make today.
- If you do decide to have something, have a smaller piece and make it last. Imagine it is the most expensive food or snack that you have ever bought and take your time to really taste it.
- Check your alcohol intake, something which is often forgotten – just don’t replace the alcohol with high sugar soft drinks!
There is so much conflicting advice and so many ‘fad’ diets that it can be difficult to know what is best for you. Hopefully, the tips above will give you some ideas that you can use.
by Anne Morrison © 2015
Anne Morrison, MBSCH, GQHP, lives in Whitley Bay and holds clinics in North Shields and Newcastle. She can be contacted by phone on 07905 735 457 or via her website www.annemorrison.co.uk.