Easter on a diet – how to stay mindful and stick to your weight loss goals.
Easter can be a lovely time of year. Warmer weather is on the horizon, and lighter evenings are here to stay. But with all the local supermarkets stocking up on Easter treats – chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, delicious cakes – there’s definitely more temptation around. Easter on a diet is a challenge, and one that makes it harder to concentrate on your weight loss goals. So, how can you stay focused and avoid self-sabotaging your progress?
Focus on your goal – remember your why.
Much like New Year, Easter is often seen as a time for new beginnings. And when you commit to LighterLife you too are making a fresh start. Wherever you are in your weight-loss journey, being mindful can help you become more aware of what and why you are eating. And help you challenge that voice in your head saying unhelpful things like, ‘It’s not fair, everyone is having chocolate, poor me, I deserve Easter eggs too’.
“Pleasures can become punishments when taken beyond a certain point.”
When you give in to temptation, act on those thoughts, or comfort eat to deal with stress, are you likely to regret it? And, once the Dopamine hit has passed, ask yourself, ‘Why did I do that?‘ Because something that’s a genuine comfort or treat isn’t something you regret afterwards.
Try asking yourself if you’re truly hungry or just responding to a habit. Distract yourself with an activity, drink more water, or choose a healthier alternative from your LighterLife Foodpack favourites.
Tips for facing Easter on a diet.
- What if I overindulge on Easter treats?
- Avoid guilt. Acknowledge it, learn from it, and refocus on your goals. One day won’t ruin your progress, but dwelling on it might. In the words of one of our Mentors, if you got a flat tyre, you wouldn’t then ditch your whole car, would you?
- How can I stay motivated when everyone around me is indulging?
- Remind yourself why you started, visualise your progress, and stay connected with your Mentor and Group, and our wider LighterLife Facebook community.
- What are some good coping strategies for emotional eating during Easter on a diet?
- Journal your emotions, go for a walk, talk to a friend, or engage in a non-food-related reward system for self-care.
Easter temptations and how to overcome them.
- Chocolates, Hot Cross Buns, & Pastries – the smell can be very tempting, so plan ahead and check out our Foodpack Hacks for some winning ways using your VLCD and MRF Foodpacks instead.
- Social Pressure to Eat – be firm but polite in declining offers. Say, “That looks delicious, but I’m sticking to my plan.” Remember, if you give in to temptation, the only person you’re letting down is you.
- Mindless Snacking – keep your hands busy with an activity like colouring the mandalas in your Re-Creating Me Starter Kit, journaling, knitting, or playing with a stress ball to prevent reaching for snacks unconsciously.
Join your LighterLife community.
Our LighterLife Facebook community is full of people just like you, who share their experiences and tips to help you create the structure and support you need. The weekly meetings with your personal Mentor are a great place to explore ‘crooked thinking’ and find other coping mechanisms, and ask yourself, ‘Is it food I really need or do I have some other way of coping?’
Because it’s mindful thinking that will help you get off the dieting roundabout, deal with that voice in your head that’s sabotaged your weight loss goals in the past, and help you understand more about your triggers so you can develop your skills for success.
Change is possible.
Our Mentors are always here to support you, guide your CBT Mindfulness sessions, and offer help, advice, understanding and encouragement, to keep you focused during the Easter holiday period.
And don’t forget, LighterLife’s Chocolate Shake, Chocolate Bars, Chocolate Mug Cake, Chocolate Smoothie and our Sticky Toffee Pudding are a great way to get that sweet fix you won’t regret. Mindfully savour every guilt-free mouthful and enjoy.
Easter on a diet doesn’t have to be about giving up things you enjoy. When you join us, you’ll be losing weight and continuing to discover – as so many others like you have done before – your LighterLife Programme is far more than simply a weight loss plan. It’s a whole new way of living.
LighterLife is about giving everyone the opportunity to be the person they really want to be. Let’s make this year the one when you break old unhelpful eating habits and create new ones for a healthier future, both at Easter and beyond. Are you ready to discover the real you?
