Lose up to 7lbs with our Christmas countdown plan!

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Lose ½ stone in the lead up to Christmas with our handy mix and match meal plan as inspiration!

While Christmas is a time for fun with family and friends, all the festivities can lead to a few more indulgences than usual. A little health and weight loss boost in the run up to Christmas can help make the festive season even more enjoyable as you can enjoy a little indulgence without worrying.

If you feel motivated to give your weight loss a boost in the run up to Christmas, then look no further. I've put together a mix and match food and exercise plan to give you some inspiration and guidance. The plan is around 1,200-1,400 calories per day – if you need more than this, just add in an extra snack or opt for the higher-calorie options.

Here's what to do

1. Choose a breakfast, lunch, dinner and 1-2 snacks each day
2. Aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluid each day (all fluids count with the exception of alcohol)
3. Choose 3 exercises from the options to complete each week
4. Aim for around 10,000 steps per day where possible (or simply more than your personal norm to help boost activity).

Note: If you're unable to exercise, just focus on following the meal plan and you'll still be on track to lose.

Exercise

• 30-minute brisk walk, swim or cycle
• 20-minute gentle jog
• 20-minute HIIT workout (search YouTube for examples to follow)
• 30-minute resistance training - e.g. squats, lunges, step ups, press-ups, tricep dips, plank, ab crunches.