12 ways at Christmas (to not gain weight)

"Christmas is a time of year where my family all comes together, and we usually eat lots of indulgent food. I don't actually celebrate Christmas, but I do embrace the yummy food. I consciously decided to be careful at Christmas and I eat in moderation. I have a few treats, but I still aim to maintain. Last year I put on a couple of pounds but lost it after Christmas with walking and staying active with my family".

"When I was losing weight I managed Christmas by still tracking because I was changing my lifestyle. I wasn't on a "diet' and I didn't need to "take a break'; there was nothing to take a break from because I incorporate the foods and drinks that I want into my day, every day of the year.

"My tastes changed and I didn't crave food or feel the need to overindulge just because it was Christmas and everyone else was indulging. I ignored the saboteurs, the people who said "Oh, go on, have a mince pie, it's Christmas". If I wanted one, I would have one and track it, but most of the time I just didn't want unhealthy food and I didn't feel it was worth the calorie spend because the feeling of health and fitness far outweighs any short-term feeling you get from food. I always feel so much better for not following the crowd and end up regretting overindulgence".

"When losing weight I, along with my husband, Martin, decided to not track on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. We didn't go too mad, but we relaxed and enjoyed some of our favourite Christmas foods and drinks.

"The other days in between Christmas and New Year were tracked but we reduced the amount we wanted to lose to give us a higher calorie allowance. It felt good to be in control of our calories whilst, at the same time, still being able to enjoy the festivities. We made sure we kept up our activity levels, too, and I even swam a mile of the pool in my health club on Christmas morning! That won't be happening again now I have a little baby, though!"

"In the time that I was losing weight, there were two Christmases. Like all special events, I didn't mind putting on a bit of weight, but not so much that I would get fed up and feel like giving up. I still filled in my diary, and I think that helped me to avoid any big excesses.

"It worked pretty well – over the first Christmas I gained 4 pounds, and I had lost it by 5th January, and over the second Christmas I gained 2 pounds and I had lost it by 7th January.

"Managing Christmas was also made a little easier, because for both Christmases when I was losing weight, we stayed away, self-catering with two friends. Neither of them is a big eater or drinker, so, we talked in advance about the sort of things we would eat and drink, and nobody was all that set on eating excessively".