Whether it’s a support group or a diet or even a strict exercise regime the exact way in which we battle the pounds has always been a matter of personal choice.
And that choice often depends on which method works the best and the fastest.
But now two Shropshire women have joined forces because they think it should be taken even more seriously than that.
They believe weight is something which needs to be managed and managed carefully.
That’s why they have brought Enlighten Weight Management to the county.
Amanda Jones and Mandy Gatt met while working for a well known weight loss organisation. With years of experience between them in motivating and helping people to achieve their goals, they became aware of a large number of people who wanted to see something more personal and more long term.
Amanda and Mandy set about searching for a programme that concentrates on educating clients about food, the effect it has on our bodies and the feelings that often lie behind overeating.
They believe this is the kind of knowledge that empowers clients to bring about long-term change rather than achieving the “quick fix”, which is mostly short lived.
They also wanted the opportunity to spend time getting to know clients on a more personal level learning about their individual needs and lifestyles.
In addition to their existing experience they have now completed further training and gained a new qualification in nutrition and weight management.
Amanda and Mandy are now working in association with the London-based Weight Management Centre who specialise in weight management and childhood obesity and work with Primary Care Trusts and fitness industry leaders. Now they have come up with 10 top tips for Star Woman readers to help cope with Christmas.
THINK POSITVE
If you think Christmas is going to be a calorific disaster then it will be! If you think in a positive way and put in place strategies for a more healthy Christmas then there’s a good chance that’s how it will turn out. What’s more, you may find you enjoy it more than the usual three weeks of excess.
STAY ACTIVE
Most of us take time off at Christmas so make sure you plan to relax and recharge your batteries. Take advantage of any bright, crisp, frosty days for an invigorating walk in the fresh air. Swimming pools and gyms are usually deserted, so if they are open you may well have them almost to yourself!
DON’T BE A GLUTTON
Most of us have lots of social events to go to and we feel compelled to meet over a meal. If you do go out for a meal try to eat something small about 5pm so you’re not starving when you arrive at the restaurant and end up ordering everything on the menu! Try and stay in control and order sensibly.
MAKE BETTER CHOICES
Think carefully about what you order, once it’s on your plate it’s too late. Try to order either a starter or a pudding rather than both. Order first if you can so your decision isn’t swayed by others.
ALCOHOL!
Alcohol is full of ‘empty calories’ and a lot of them! Offering to drive is always a good way of avoiding having too many glasses of wine. If you are going to have a drink then order a bottle of sparkling or soda water with your bottle of wine and make your own spritzer, or drink one glass of wine then one glass of water. This will halve your calorie intake and you’ll feel better in the morning!
BREAK WITH TRADITION
Its customary to have visitors at Christmas, but never walk into the trap of eating to be sociable. Also be prepared when you go out visiting - don’t have that mince pie if you don’t really want it! Don’t have food in the house just because you always have it at Christmas. If you know that you will end up eating the lion’s share of the large tin of chocolates then don’t buy them, it’s not compulsory!
BE KIND TO YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The barrage of abuse that our digestive tracts have to put up with at Christmas is scary. The stomach, intestines, liver and kidneys are all under huge stress in order to process the huge amounts of food and alcohol that we consume.
Take time out to allow your system to recuperate, and drink lots of water to assist the liver and kidneys in the detox process. Always plan at least two or three days together when you will have no alcohol at all and try and combine this with a few days of healthy eating - doing this between Christmas and New Year is a good time.
DON’T DELAY
“I will start my diet in January!” Start now, and build up to January. You can make a lot of positive progress before the new year.
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