Christmas Challenge Diet Plans

Worried about slipping into your little black dress or DJ this festive season? WLR dietitian, Juliette Kellow, comes to the rescue with this brand new, week-by-week diet that still includes all your favourite foods, and can help you lose up to 2 stone before Christmas!

Christmas Challenge Diet Plan

The party invites will soon start flooding in, the shops will be full of festive fare and you will start to think about writing your present and card lists. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner and as always, you’ve got 101 things to do over the next few months to prepare for the party season.

But there’s one thing at the top of your list that you promise to do each year, yet rarely achieve – and that’s to lose those excess pounds so that you look and feel slimmer, sexier and healthier for the party season.

Fortunately, that’s where WLR comes to the rescue! We promise you won’t be able to wait to go shopping for the perfect party outfit – and when you find it, you’ll feel and look like a million dollars. Plus, you’ll have loads more energy to keep you going in the run up to, and during the festive season, so that you’re less likely to get tired, irritable and stressed out – and more likely to enjoy your time with friends and family.

Our easy-to-follow eating plan is designed to help you lose up to 2 stone and is suitable for anyone and everyone.

Whether you’ve just joined WLR to lose a small amount of weight or want to kick start a longer-term eating plan to help you shift a whole lot more, this diet is guaranteed to suit you. It’s also suitable if you’re already a member of WLR and are well on the way to losing weight but want to boost your motivation – this eating plan will leave you feeling inspired and up to 2 stone lighter!

Why this plan will help you get glam in time for Christmas…

√ It’s realistic – you can expect to lose up to 2lb a week and maybe a couple of extra pounds in the first week. It might not sound much but it adds up to 2 stone in just 14 weeks. And losing weight slowly means you’ll be more likely to keep it off once you’ve lost it.

√ You don’t have to worry about counting calories – WLR dietitian, Juliette Kellow, has done the hard work so you don’t have to. Each day provides 1,250 calories.

√ There’s little weighing or measuring – most quantities for food are given in easy-to-judge portion sizes.

√ It’s packed with protein-rich foods like lean red meat, skinless chicken, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products. There’s evidence that a good intake of protein can help keep you fuller for longer so it’s important to eat these foods regularly.

√ It’s low in fat, especially saturates (animal fats that are linked with heart disease). But it still includes heart-healthy monounsaturates like olive oil.

√ It includes foods with a low or medium glycaemic index (GI), like pulses, oats, fruit, veg, wholewheat pasta and bread. Foods with a low GI value keep blood sugar levels steady, so you don’t get carb cravings and have the constant munchies.

√ It’s rich in wholegrains, including wholegrain breads, oats, wholewheat pasta and brown rice. These foods contain fibre, which helps to keep you fuller for longer.

√ It’s packed with calcium-rich, low-fat dairy products, which help to keep bones strong. Research also shows that low-fat dairy products may burn fat more efficiently, helping you to shift those pounds.

√ It contains plenty of iron-rich foods like lean red meat, oily fish, eggs, pulses, green leafy veg and fortified breakfast cereals. These foods help to keep blood healthy and prevent a condition called anaemia.

√ Best of all, it contains all your favourite foods and allows a daily treat whether that’s chocolate, a glass of wine, a packet of crisps, a few biscuits or a gin and tonic!

Here’s what to do…

• Every week, WLR will provide a new selection of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and treats. All you have to do is choose one of each every day.
   
• As well as your meals, snacks and treats, have 300ml skimmed milk to use in tea and coffee or to mix with some of the fruit from the daily meals to make a smoothie. Alternatively have two small pots of fat-free fruit yoghurt.
   
• If you can’t be bothered to cook or need to grab a meal or snack on the move, choose something with a similar calorie count such as a sandwich, salad or ready meal (look at the packaging to find the calorie content).
   
• You don’t have to eat all of the food recommended for each meal in one sitting. For example, you could save a piece of fruit or a pot of yoghurt for later in the day.
   
• Fill up on veggies – you can eat most in unlimited amounts except for higher-calorie potatoes, parsnips, peas, sweetcorn, baked beans and other pulses.
   
• Drink plenty of water – have at least eight glasses a day.
   
• The menus are devised for one person. For two servings, double the quantities recommended.
   
• All tablespoon and teaspoon measurements should be level where 1tbsp = 15ml and 1tsp = 5ml.

Calories count…

The diet for our 14-week Christmas Challenge provides 1,250 calories a day and is suitable for most women who need to lose around 2 stone.

However, if you are male or a female with a lot more weight to lose, you’ll probably need more calories than this. Simply follow the Christmas Challenge weekly plans but make up the extra calories you need by choosing foods from the following list, by referring to food labels or by looking at The Calorie, Carb and Fat Bible by Weight Loss Resources.

Breads

Cereals

Cheese

Milk, yoghurt and eggs

Fats and oils

Fish

Nuts and seeds

Fruit

Meat and poultry

Rice, pasta and potatoes

Vegetables and beans

All calorie values are approximate and based on an average of brands. Tablespoon and teaspoon measurements are level.

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