Is it Possible to Lose Weight over Christmas?

What is it about Christmas that leads us to put on weight? Alcohol? The gym being closed? Chocolate? A lack of routine? All of these and more?

I'm wondering why Christmas has to be such a dangerous time for people like me, who have clothes they can no longer fit into. Why can't we stay healthy at these times? Furthermore, why can't we get into a better shape during the Christmas period? Well, the short answer: sugary and salty food fires up our brains' synapses, giving us a hit of dopamine, a pleasure chemical. With each mouthful of tasty but unhealthy food, the dopamine travels to the brain through a neural pathway, and with each journey, that pathway is reinforced, meaning the brain will rely on that journey to get pleasure: not other journeys, or other forms of pleasure. Hence, it's important to enjoy a range of other simple pleasures: family time, friend time, movie time, book time. Whatever you like. Just not junk food.

The gym might be closed, but we can always work out at home, or get outside to walk or run. Most of us have time off, meaning more time for exercise.

Food over Christmas is a bone of contention to some people (although bones are normally all that's left after Christmas meals). The average Christmas meal is turkey (protein), sprouts (protein, vitamins C and A), carrots (as above, with a wad of calcium) and potatoes (calcium, potassium, vitamin C). It's all pretty healthy really. The only thing spoiling that is the desserts, the chocolate selection boxes and the alcohol. And when your dad's teetotal, there's no reason to drive on family gatherings, which allows for a few scoops. So moderation is key with lots of home workouts and self discipline.

I was 82.6kg on Wednesday. Not ideal. I'd love to be at 77, and wearing the suit trousers that currently don't fit. I'll check on my first gym session of the new year, on the 2^nd.