How I’m Losing 2kg Before Christmas (Without Losing My Mind)

Alright, let’s get one thing straight — this isn’t a “new year, new me” situation. It’s more of a “Christmas is coming and my jeans are making suggestions” kind of situation. I’m not trying to overhaul my life, go keto, or start running marathons. I just want to feel a bit lighter, and a bit sharper.

So, I’ve set myself a realistic goal: losing 2kg before Christmas. Nothing dramatic, nothing that involves cutting out carbs or happiness — just a gentle nudge back toward feeling more in control and a little more me.

Step One: Facing the Obvious

The truth is, I’ve been coasting. You know that stage where you’re technically still training, kind of eating well, but deep down you know you’ve been letting the reins slip? That’s me. My “just one chocolate after dinner” became a nightly tradition. 

It’s not about guilt — it’s about honesty. I’m not where I want to be, and the only way to change that is to stop pretending that coffee counts as breakfast and handfuls of snacks count as meals.

So, this isn’t about punishment. It’s about sharpening up a little before the festive chaos sets in.

Step Two: Protein Comes First

If you’ve trained with me or followed me for a while, you know how much I harp on about protein — and yet, somehow, I’ve managed to forget my own advice lately. It’s been a steady slide into “coffee for breakfast and a biscuit.” Spoiler alert: what happens later is me rummaging through the pantry at 3pm.

So, the plan is simple: protein first.

I’m going back to building my meals around a good protein source, not the other way around. That means eggs, Greek yoghurt, chicken, lean mince, tofu, fish — the usual suspects. Once the protein’s sorted, then I fill the rest with colour.

This isn’t revolutionary. It’s what I already know works. When I eat protein first, I’m fuller, I snack less, and I’m not halfway through a family-size bag of chips before realising I’m not even hungry. Protein steadies everything — my energy, my mood, my decision-making. 

Step Three: Vegetables 

Let’s talk about vegetables. I love them… in theory. In practice, I often forget to actually put them on my plate. I’m not sure when I decided that “a tomato slice on my sandwich” counted as a serve of vegetables, but that’s the kind of optimism I’m leaving behind.

If I want to feel my best, I need to eat like an adult again — and that means loading my plate with colour. My new rule: half my plate should be vegetables. Whatever way they’re cooked/prepped, I don’t care, they just need to be there.

Not because they’re “low calorie” (although, yes, that helps), but because I genuinely feel better when I eat them. My digestion, my skin, my energy — all of it improves. And when I fill up on vegetables, there’s less room for the “just one more biscuit” situations that keep happening at 8pm.

Step Four: Fewer Discretionary Extras

Now we reach the awkward truth — I’ve been a little too lenient with the extras. A “small” piece of chocolate that somehow turns into four.

I’m not cutting these things out completely — I love food and I plan to enjoy it. But there’s a difference between enjoying treats and relying on them to get through the week. I’ve drifted into the latter.

So, the plan is to tighten the ship without sinking it. I’m keeping the fun stuff, but being more intentional about it. If I’m having dessert, I’ll make it worth it — something I actually want, not just whatever’s in the cupboard because I’m bored.

Step Five: Move More, On Purpose

I’ll be honest — my movement has slipped into the “good enough” zone. You know when you train a few times a week but the rest of your day is basically sitting, driving, or scrolling? That’s me.

Training’s not the issue… I love lifting, I just haven’t been moving enough outside the gym. I’ve become complacent. My step count has seen better days.

So, I’m bringing back the basics. Walks. Stretching. Taking calls while moving. Parking further away. It sounds boring, but these small habits add up fast.

I don’t need to live in the gym to drop 2kg, I just need to stop acting like 30 minutes of sitting on a leg press makes up for the rest of my day being spent in a chair.

Movement doesn’t just help with fat loss — it helps with everything. Mood, sleep, digestion, even confidence. And honestly, when I’m moving more, I’m automatically more mindful about what I eat. Funny how that works.

Step Six: Accountability

Here’s the thing — I’m not chasing perfection. I’m chasing consistency. Two kilograms isn’t much, but it represents something bigger: getting my discipline back.

And let’s be real — I’m probably still going to have moments where I choose Netflix over my walk, or where I eat something that wasn’t part of the plan. The goal isn’t to avoid those entirely; it’s to stop letting them turn into weeks of “oh well, I’ll start again Monday.”

If I can stay roughly 80% consistent with these simple things — protein first, loads of vegetables, fewer extras, and more movement — that 2kg will take care of itself.

Plus, it’s not really about the number on the scale. It’s about heading into Christmas feeling in control instead of exhausted. Feeling strong instead of sluggish.

And when Christmas rolls around, I plan to enjoy every bit of it — the food, the company, the chaos — without that quiet feeling of “ugh, I’ve let myself go.” Because this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about feeling like I’m back in the driver’s seat again.

This really is just a reminder that everyone experiences that weight creep, even your PT.

Your coach & friend,

Maddy