In a new weekly feature, Her.ie newbie Liz is going to share her weight loss journey. She’ll be filling you in on fighting temptation, her willpower struggles with the cocktail menu and taking painfully slow steps towards regular exercise. All in the name of a dress. _____________________________________ Hanging on the wall at the end of my bed is the constant reminder I plan on shedding nearly two stone this year. I also plan on marking the trials and tribulations of ‘trying to be good’ – the favourite saying we all tout, and quickly replace when a cake is put in front of us. Week 35: Rocking around the Christmas tree... This might seem obvious, but I don’t want to be a Christmas pudding. Saying that, I don’t intend on ruining the stress-free aspects of the festive season (i.e. the food, drinks and socialising with family and friends) because I’m ‘on a diet’. So I’ve been to two Christmas markets in two cities in one week. And of course I had the Belgian waffle dipped in Nutella both times. Some people look forward to presents. Me? I’m much more about the crepes/ waffles/ any treats dipped into this chocolate wonder. I may also have chocolate smeared on my face, but I wear it with pride. It’s my seasonal badge (and it’s the only other time of the year everyone else has it too). This is my form of Christmas jumper – much more flattering than a bell or two in a suggestive place. I could wax lyrical about how I’m going to be super-well behaved over the Christmas holidays – but show me someone who is, and I’ll show someone who’s besties with the Grinch. This week I started my Christmas countdown with a very special birthday – my gorgeous little niece turned two. As with every child’s birthday party there were cocktail sausages, chicken dippers and more dips than you could shake an onion ring at. And I sat cross-legged enjoying every single bite. Life’s too short not to embrace the parties and family moments, and I guess what I’m hinting at this week, is that you can’t control the times there’s going to be a few extra slices of cake, or a colourful bowl of party food.  You just need to know that it’s not going to be an everyday occurrence and hey, why not throw in an extra walk or two to even out the damage (just maybe don’t stroll through and then stop at the food market EVERY time…) With just over two weeks to Christmas you can realistically still lose nearly half a stone on the run-up to Santa’s arrival by following a balanced diet and including some exercise. Sure there’s going to be Christmas parties and 12 pubs, but why not have a spirit with a diet mixer? Or when you’re sitting down to a meal, treat yourself (guilt-free) to a juicy steak and lots of veg? Life’s all about the choices, but if you pick wisely, there’s no reason why you should have to rival Santa for a red suit with black patent belt. You can still fit into your slinky dress and toddle off, drink in hand, belly not wobbling like a bowl full of jelly. So this Christmas, despite all my fun and frolics (and questionable trips to the dance floor), I plan to sparkle in some festive Christmas attire. Dear Santa, I’ve been an awfully good* girl, and all I want for Christmas is a faux fur trimmed cape, some leather jeans and a dress that makes me feel as fabulous as Brigitte Bardot. Yours Faithfully, Your favourite slimmer in Dublin *Santa, everyone loves a trier. So let’s pretend the weekends don’t count… Height: 5ft 8 Starting Weight: 174 lbs Current Weight: 161 lbs Weight Loss To Date: 17 lb Goal: 148 lbs Feeling: Festive The Dress in Question… NOW FITS!!