Dieting in December is a silly idea

I have been on a diet for the last 4 weeks.  I have lost 13lbs. Thank you, thank you (takes a bow).


Christmas threatens to undo all my hard work. Maybe it was a dumb idea to try and lose weight in the run up to the Season to Be Jolly, but you have to start somewhere.  But at this time of year comes the inevitable socialising, partying, drinking and over-indulgence.  It is just so hard to resist beautifully prepared calorie-laden temptations as they are laid before me.  And I am polite to the core and refusal would be so, well, rude.  So let's just say that the last two Saturdays have been, um, non-diety.

The world is out to get me.  You should see our counter tops at my office.  They are smothered in well-meaning chocolate flavoured goodies, thank-you gifts of naughtiness sent from one department to another, and fancy biscuits and cookies that squeak to me as I walk past.  

"Eat me, eat me" they cry, and when I can bare their pain no longer, I oblige.  Three times.


We should resort to sending inter-departmental thank-you pencils, or some other non-fattening and non-threatening treat.


I have been mostly following a no-sugar, low-carb, higher-protein type regime.  I chose this because I am probably a diabetic-in-waiting.  That and the fact I have put on 12lbs since sitting on my ample derriere in my job this past year. Not good.  It's probably about the only "diet" that I have not tried before - but it's working and I am mentally in the right place.  Which is what all successful weight-loss is all about when it comes down to it - your mental attitude.  I've known for decades what I should eat - I just didn't want to.


However, I don't think I'll ever be a huge fan of that "exercise" stuff - it requires discipline, lung capacity and three hours in a private room to return to a normal colour.  And I didn't even mention sports bras.


Popping out to the gym in my lunch hour is not going to happen, and I have neither the time nor the inclination to work out before or after a working day.

I did try Zumba classes for a while which were enormous fun, extremely sweat-inducing and hard for my knees, but the timing clashed badly with the need to pick up Daughter Number One from her ballet class.  My most legitimate excuse ever.  But if you ever want a laugh, try Zumba. Maybe another time for me.


And then, of course, Saturday and Sunday mornings inevitably require lying in bed until at least 9am, followed by household chores, entertaining or taxi-ing children around and trying to remember to drink lots of water and ponder some more excuses.  See - no time for exercise when you think about it.  (Does thinking about exercise count?  Or walking around a shopping mall?)


So wish me well over the next two weeks - I want to lose another 15lbs in total.  And I've put the idea out there now, so I have to keep going.  Perhaps the Christmas/New Year season can be blanked out on my little graph and then I'll just carry on from 3rd January?  If I can keep off those first 13lbs I will be one happy bunny.


Florida, t-shirts and shorts, and the need to be seen (in public, aagghh) in the dreaded swimsuit all beckon in the Spring.  That, and the silly decision of going on holiday with a very slim friend are the motivation I need to dust off all those lovely tops in my wardrobe.  

The only whale I want to see in my holiday photos is Shamu.


Have a wonderful, joyful and peaceful Christmas everyone and if you can't be good, then have another choccie for me.