It’s January and you might be feeling like you have piled on the lbs. Like even less fits you than before. Your energy is probably low; maybe you look and feel stressed and tired. Because let’s be honest, Christmas can be really fun but also really hard work. I bet, for at least the last three weeks of December, you felt frazzled and overwhelmed.
The thing is, you wanted to lose weight last year and you really did try. But life got in the way, the summer was hot (so there were all those boozy BBQ’s to attend). Then, before you knew it, the weather turned colder, November was just rain and then came that icy blast in December right before Christmas. By that time, you had all but given up and decided that you would wait until the new year. Makes sense – just enjoy the festive season, the food, wine, family and friends.
Now January is here and you feel desperate to take the action and do what you didn’t manage last year – or the year before. You declare “New Year, New Me” whilst toasting 2023 with the first and last glass of prosecco you will have that year. Vowing that, from tomorrow morning, after your paracetamol and cooked breakfast, “things are gonna change around here!”.
Fast forward a few hours and you’re googling to find ‘the best diet to lose weight quickly’. You intend to start as soon as you have finished your New Year’s Day roast with the family.
The problem is there is so much information out there and it’s so conflicting. Maybe you will go back to the slimming club and do the weekly weigh-in at the village hall? Or could you do the online version and save yourself the trip out each week (and a couple of £ whilst you are at it). But, actually, no – that doesn’t work. It’s too easy to ignore syns and points… It’s time to try something a bit stricter.
After an hour or so of TikTok scrolling, Instagram binging and Google surfing you have decided to take the bits you like from all the advice you’ve consumed. The result being:
- No alcohol
- No chocolate
- No white carbs
- Don’t eat after 6pm
- Work out 6 days a week
- Only 1 piece of fruit a day
- And a handful of supplements every morning at 10am
Brilliant. You will be svelt by March 1st and last year’s efforts will all be in the past. Feels like a plan….
This might seem like an exaggeration for some of you. To others, it might not feel like half the story! But the temptation when January comes around to jump straight into an over-restrictive and punishing diet and exercise plan in order to get the results you want in as little time as possible is real. I know. I have been there.
Let’s look at the reasons why this isn’t a good idea…
The Science
The only way to lose body fat is a calorie or energy deficit. You consume fewer calories than you burn, your body uses body fat for energy and, therefore, said body fat reduces.
However, it is a common misconception that the calorie deficit has to be huge! A certain food tracking app puts most women on 1,200 calories, to begin with! With the average woman needing 2,000 calories per day, this is a deficit of 800 calories – which is a whole meal for most people.
You would be forgiven for thinking that putting yourself in a deficit that high would mean the fat would just melt away – but you would be wrong. Because super low-calorie diets are really hard to stick to.
Think about it: in order to eat so few calories, you would have to cut so much of the food you love out of your diet. You would most certainly be hungry, but you would also be miserable, and irritable and you would find it nearly impossible to be consistent.
Consistency
Consistency really is a superpower!
Being consistent with your nutrition plan over a sustained period of time is more likely to bring you long-term results than ‘dieting’ hard for a short period of time in a manner you can’t keep up with for longer than a few days at a time.
When I say ‘consistent’, I don’t mean ‘perfect’ (there is no such thing). I mean ‘sticking to your plan 80% of the time’.
Enjoyment & Fun
Crash or fad diets might make all the promises of the fat melting away in mere weeks – and you could absolutely be really strict with yourself for a few, I’m sure.
But, over the long term, if you have more than a few lbs to lose, this strategy is going to leave you grumpy, and irritable and make you feel like you are having no fun. A super restrictive and low-calorie diet isn’t achievable whilst having a social life, eating out or even going to a friend for dinner.
Do you really want to spend the next 6 to 12 months saying ‘no’ to every social event you are invited to?
Energy Levels
Following an over-restrictive diet for a sustained period of time will leave your energy levels at rock bottom.
I’m guessing you are busy?
I’m guessing you often have lots to do and that you rush around a lot?
You need energy. Who wants to be more exhausted than they already are?
What should you do?
The following 5 principles are a simple way to help you to lose weight without being restrictive.
They are easy to implement and don’t require restriction, fasting or complicated rules or regulations:
- Eat lean protein with every meal
- Make sure you eat at least 5 portions of fruit & vegetables a day
- Drink 2 litres of water daily
- Try to get out for a brisk 30-minute walk every day
- Focus on getting good quality sleep
Try these for a few weeks before you sign up for the next fad, app or meal replacement plan and see how you feel after doing them consistently.
If you don’t feel ready to go it alone, or would like to see how these principles work in action, I’m running a FREE 5-day taster of my Mum Boss Boost from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th of January.
This super practical coaching event will take you through some of the tools and techniques I use with my clients to get them amazing results – without fads, restrictions or gruelling workouts.
Through emails, videos, worksheets and guides, the 5-day Mum Boss Boost Taster is designed to help kick-start your weight loss (without losing your marbles) and give you all the tools and knowledge you need to start your journey to a healthier, happier and more confident you!
Click here for more information or to register for FREE today.
2023 is going to be the year you lose that weight, get that confidence and fall in love with yourself and your body.
Because you’re a #MumBoss. And you’ve got this!
You can connect with me on Instagram and on Facebook for more tips on becoming an awesome Mum Boss.