Okay so it is getting to that time of year where people are talking about losing weight for Christmas, it is something that I genuinely dread every time this part of the year comes around. It is basically rammed down our throats that the way we look isn’t good enough, we need to look a certain way to be beautiful, and to feel good and enjoy this time of year, we need to drop a few dress sizes, lose a few pounds to feel that.
Now if you want to lose weight, that is amazing, do what is best for you. I am not saying losing weight is a bad thing. If it is something you want to do, do it. But do it for the long haul, don’t do it just for a season. Make it something you can maintain. Don’t crash diet.
Christmas is always a time that has so many expectations too, from the presents to the food that people have bought, I know that last Christmas I was still eating chocolate in February aka, I was basically living my best life for the best part of 2 months with my chocolate stash.
I have always found that diet culture really impacts my relationship with food, the fact that there are “good” and “bad” foods, that there are things that we shouldn’t be eating and that is just wrong on so many levels. You can have what you like in moderation. You can always indulge a little bit now and again, it is all about balance. Restricting yourself is one of the worst things you can do if you say on I’m never going to eat chocolate again because there is no such thing as perfect diet.
Here are a few things that you need to remember in general if you’re thinking of going on a diet for Christmas:
- If you want to lose weight that is great, but don’t go for a quick fix, it doesn’t work like that.
- Don’t feel like you have to look a certain way to be beautiful.
- Losing weight doesn’t automatically make you feel happy.
- Don’t feel like you should be ashamed of your body, it does amazing things for you everyday.
- Don’t deny yourself anything because someone says on this is a bad food.
- Following on from that, there is no such thing as good and bad foods, it is everything in moderation.
- Don’t feel guilty for eating your favourite foods.
- You can be healthy at every size.
- Health isn’t a one size fits all
- Your happiness is more important than any number on any scale.
The reason for this post is I know it is a difficult time of year for so many people with diet culture – including myself, and this is a reminder that you are never alone in this and do not let adverts, social media or anything like that make you feel anything less than beautiful.
Like what you’ve read? How about we become social media friends?
Twitter ● Instagram ● Tumblr ● Pinterest ● Blog Lovin’ ● Facebook
Great post, Amie! This is something I think everyone considering a diet should read. If people want to lose weight for their own personal reasons – then do it. But no one should diet or lose weight simply because people say “that’s how you should look.” No two people are alike and no two bodies are either. If you are comfortable however you are – don’t change it! People should only change for themselves,
Casey Anne | https://ItsCaseyAnne.com
This is such a great post, Amie. So many positive points to remember. Thank you so much for sharing x
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Love this post! It’s very true around Xmas everyone just seems to want to be stick thin! I say tis the season for pigs in blankets and mulled wine all around!
Katt
Kattwritescontent.com
Love this post! It’s very true around Xmas everyone just seems to want to be stick thin! I say tis the season for pigs in blankets and mulled wine all around!
Katt
X
Diet culture needs to die! I’m all for supporting people who want to lose weight for their own personal reasons but I hate these companies that make it sound like that’s the ONLY way to be happy and have a good Christmas?! x
Very well said my lovely! x
I completely agree. I hate the pressure to lose weight for Chrismtas/after Christmas/events etc it’s so toxic!
Ash | https://thisdreamsalive.com
This is a really great post. I can sometimes feel guilty around the festive period about how much I’m eating – especially when it’s not healthy food. I’m trying to focus on things being in moderation! xx
This is so true! I got to quite a comfortable place with my body a while ago, but I know a lot of people need this! It’s so easy to get into a mindset where you feel like you have to lose weight in prep for Christmas.
Jas xx
Great post, I dislike all these negative and confusing messages about weight. We need to teach people that they should be eating more healthy during the year and how to cook from scratch instead of buying ready meals, Also teach them to have the odd treat at special times of year not every day.
I do have to watch my weight as I have a health condition, so if I weigh too much I have to see the dietitian, which is scary!
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
I never understand why people want to diet before Christmas (unless it’s due to health reasons) , all the weight you lose is just going to get piled back on after eating all the pigs in blankets and mince pies! Tis the season to eat till you explode! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I really don’t understand why it’s ever people’s business on someone’s weight any time of the year and more so during the Christmas season and holiday season. One thing I will always be firm about is not leaving your happiness for a later date, as long as you are happy with yourself, you feel great then everyone else’s opinion does not exist at all.
I think it’s so important to say that not all foods are bad for you!! A little bit of everything is honestly the best way forward, any diet that cancels out a food group is not the way forwards, and as you mentioned it’s like a crash diet that continues to loop because all diets are meant for you to always keeping coming back to the diet industry in some form.
Great post!
A lot of people needed to hear this so thank you! It can be hard with christmas treats but at the end of the day we need to enjoy ourselves xx
So much love for this!
My friends are always saying how they need to lose weight around Christmas as they always over indulge and I’m constantly telling them they don’t need to.
I think the most important thing is to be happy. If you’re happy with how you are then you really don’t need to change it just because everyone else is at this time of year.
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
I always feel like I need to lose weight for an events, Christmas or holiday – I shouldn’t though x
This is such a great post! There is always so many expectations around the holiday season, like you said, but this is an important reminder to take care of yourself during this time of year. Thanks for sharing, this is so inspiring! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
I completely agree! These days should revolve around fun, relaxation and no pressure whatsoever. Great post!
https://tiateilli.com
I adore this post so much darling, thank you so much for sharing it. So many people I know need to read this so I’m gonna send them this link, thank you. I’m sending you so much love! 💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I gave up on dieting long ago. I’d always been heavier than my friends when I was a kid but when I look at pics of me from then, I was nowhere near fat. I was just more developed. I spent over 20 years on and off various diets. I had such a bad relationship with food by then. Comfort eating and whatnot. It was just a vicious circle! I also was diagnosed with PCOS only 5 or 6 years ago but must have had it a very long time and from that I ended up with Type 2 Diabetes, which I now have to control with both oral meds AND 2 types of insulin 4 times a day and another injection of something else once a week. Diets are just bad. Healthy eating and exercise, even just walking are definitely the way to go. It’s all down to balance. 🙂
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post
Love this! I’ve never heard of people losing weight for Christmas but it’s definitely a time of year with a lot of expectations and a ton of eating and critiques. The judgment can be hard! I’m trying to get to a better place myself when it comes to food and not thinking of any as good or bad. Intuitive eating is the goal. Thanks for these great reminders!
Totally agree with this.
Weight loss is all well and good if don’t right and for the right reasons.
https://littlemissmelanie.com/
This is a great post ♥ I haven’t been on a diet in over two years and I am so happy with that. Two years ago I made a lifestyle choice to cut refined sugar out of my diet and since then, that is the only thing I work on and it’s been great for me. There is so much pressure in January as well for people to get slimmer as New Year resolutions – it is so toxic!
omg im so fed up of diet culture. I’ve already had emails about it
This is such an important topic. If you’re ready planning to lose weight (healthily), that’s fine. Bit Christmas shouldn’t be the only reason too, especially quick schemes. I always find that if I cut out a food group (carbs for example) I find myself craving it like crazy and am more likely too eat to much of it.
I totally feel this, I always feel the need to diet pre-xmas as I always know there will be so many dinners, snacks etc! But I’ve slowly learned to not do this and not care about other’s opinions too. Gimme all the roast potatoes and mince pies!!