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I have decided that, despite the cold weather I am GOING to attempt to exercise before Christmas this year (granted I only have 1 week left). It would be really easy for me to say that ‘it is just too cold’ and ‘I’ll start afresh in the new year with new enthusiasm and a new keep fit regime’, but isn’t now a good a time as any. AND if I set the wheels in motion now, I’ll feel more inclined to tackle the subject again in 2010. But, which physical activity can I begin with that breaks me into the super healthy transformation gently?
I visited website Play.com and they were advertising a series of 10 minute work-out DVDs ranging from yoga to salsa, pilates and circuit training. It got me thinking that 10 minute bursts of exertion would be enough to get my heart rate going without too much suffering on my part.
I ordered 2 DVDs pilates and kick boxing, which arrived the very next day, leaving me no excuse but to start my journey to a healthier life-style. Will keep you posted on the results…

Having given up on trying to order ‘slim’ in restaurants and eat ‘small’ at other peoples’ homes, I have decided to try and cook low fat cuisine for myself, starting with a low fat version of the much loved roast potatoes.

The guilt-free version is made me 200ml of vegetable oil, 1 garlic clove and only 2 tbsp of olive oil rather than the usual glug that I typically spend on it.
They are said to contain 6g of fat instead of 14g like the usual roasties.

Then I thought about how I was going to get around making high fat content treats for my little boy who simply does not appreciate fruit for pudding each night and so I found a recipe for mince pie tree treats. They are little Danish pastry style bites, just enough to treat yourself and only 100 calories per tree.

Can’t wait to have to try these out!

My friends and I have organised a nice Christmas catch up before the mad dash to Christmas day really takes off and we have no time to relax in the living room with a glass of wine and a mince pie.

One of my friends suggested we order in Chinese take-out which at first sounded to me like a yummy idea but when we hung up the phone, I started to think about the extra calories that I wouldn’t really appreciate before my Christmas do. That and the fact that I have bought an elegant but slim fitting little black dress I must fit into.

I decided to look up low fat and low calorie options for my Chinese Christmas take-out and discovered that chow mein is probably one of the lowest in fat Chinese entries, which is good because it’s one of my favourites.

I will be sharing food with my companions anyway so it will be easy to control my portions and limit my intake of rice or noodles.

I feel all ready to enjoy my guilt-free Chinese banquet.

It seems like I am forever hungry and have a constant battle with my hands to prevent them from reaching into the fridge compartment or foraging through the snack drawer at work.

I can’t possibly imagine that I am actually hungry each and every one of the times that my mind returns to food. Is it likely that I am thirsty instead? According to many articles on the web, many of us fail to read our bodies’ internal signals and often when we think our body is craving food, we are just slightly dehydrated. The best advice they give in this instance, is to drink a glass of water first before determining whether or not you are actually in need of more foodstuff.

So in conclusion, when I thought my body was crying out for strawberry tarts, chocolate fingers and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, all it really needed was a nice glass of water. Hmmmm.

With Christmas parties and New Year celebrations looming, there are plenty of reasons to want to look your best for this time of year.
If you want to indulge in the Christmas festivities without the worry of gaining loads of extra weight, then eating 300- 500 calories less on the days that you are not eating out, entertaining friends or sitting down to roast dinner with the family, could help you to avoid piling on the pounds.

Here are a few suggestions that might help you save on calories:
1) Substitute fizzy drinks for water.
2) Restrict yourself to 100 calorie snacks
3) Reduce the size of your lunch – make your own low fat version sandwiches or choose soups to fill you up and keep you warm.
4) Minimise your intake of sugary snacks and crisps – eat fruit if you’re hungry.
5) Control your beer and alcohol consumption – or save drinking for parties and special occasions.