It is understandable that that many people toy with the idea of adopting some form of drastic diet following the Christmas and New Year celebration gluttony.

I hate to shatter your intentions here, but a super-restrictive diet will be a guaranteed recipe for failure.

I have said it before and I will say it again; Slow and gradual lifestyle changes need to be adopted and implemented each week at a rate that is sustainable to YOU.

Following a diet that cuts out major food groups and allows zero flexibility can often put people in a worse position then when they started. Why?

Because it forces people into adopting rebound binges as it becomes unrealistic stick to the strict protocol and its then a slippery slope back to where you started.

To ensure a successful transition from Christmas overindulgence to healthy New Year and beyond, make sure you are not making one of these common mistakes:

(1) Expecting Immediate Results - the celebrating you did over the Christmas period is not going to be undone after one week or even a month of getting your act together. Patience and a relentless commitment to a programme is key.

(2) Eating Foods, You Don’t Like - one of the key reasons why diets don’t work, is that they force people to eat things they don’t like. If you are not fan of kale or broccoli for example, find an alternative. There are plenty of healthy vegetable options.

(3) Ignoring Food Labels – they are hidden on the back for good reason. Read the food labels on the ingredients that you're using to make a more informed decision about whether it’s healthy or not.

(4) Not Having A Back-Up Plan – planning for roadblocks like a stressful day at work is key. Instead of resorting to emotional eating when stressed, why not book a massage or a gentle yoga class to help reboot.

(5) Not Prepping Meals – food prep was a big craze in 2016 and for good reason. Prepare healthy food ahead of time. That way you can get to it when you're hungry, instead of going ballistic and raiding the cupboards when you're ravenous.

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