How much do you want to lose before Christmas?
Dieters planning to get their bodies in shape for the party seasonshould start their diet today, say experts. This allows dieters sufficient time to lose weight the healthy and sensible way over a 12 week period, so by the time Christmas celebrations are in full swing, dieters will have achieved their winter weight loss goals.
With research by new XLS-Medical, revealing more than half of the population want to lose weight in the run up to Christmas,the LBD diet countdown is officially on.
Drop a dress size
Nearly half of people are aiming to drop at least one dress size by the time the party season begins with 27 per cent aiming to lose two dress sizes and nearly 1 in 10 aiming to reduce their wardrobe by three dress sizes.
The research also found that a lady’s ideal dress size increases with age. Those in the 18-34 age bracket stated that they would like to fit into a size 10 while women aged 35+ said they would feel most comfortable as a size 12.
Elise Lindsay, celebrity personal trainer and fitness advisor to XLS-Medical’s ‘123 hello me’ support program comments: “We are all different shapes and sizes and there’s no one perfect dress size. Dieters should focus exercise efforts on the parts of the body which will be on show during the party season. Work on your shoulders and biceps if your dress is strapless or get working on those legs if your dress is short – extra squats before you party will do no harm at all.”
Diet motivations
54 per cent of festive dieters want to shed the pounds to look good in party outfits with 36 per cent admitting that they diet to impress their friends and family. And with Christmas being the season of indulgence it’s not surprising those two thirds of people diet beforehand to help counteract the weight they put on during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Dr Matt Capehorn, Clinical Director at the National Obesity Forum, comments: “Starting a diet now gives dieters a reasonable timeframe in which to lose weight steadily by Christmas. It’s important not to fall into the trap of last minute crash dieting, which is often unsuccessful and can play havoc with blood sugar levels and appetite cravings. As a result, dieters can end up gaining weight as they struggle to cope with changes brought on by such extreme measures. Undertaking a healthy eating and exercise plan now with a realistic goal in mind will ensure dieters are not only looking good but feeling great this party season.”
Leading UK dietitian Helen Bond and consultant to the free XLS-Medical online support program ‘123 hello me’ comments: “The festive season is full of edible enticements that often prove hard to resist. From office chocolates to impromptu drinks and rich meals it can often seem like a struggle to avoid the almost inevitable expanding waistline. Aim to strike a balance with what you choose to eat and drink and don’t feel like you are saying no to yourself all the time – otherwise you are at risk of giving in completely!”
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Health Diet Healthy eating