Enjoy the Festive Feast: Personal Trainer Says Don’t Count Calories This Christmas
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This Christmas, a renowned sports scientist and personal trainer, Oisin Mulligan, is urging everyone too prioritize memories over calories. He suggests savoring the festive celebrations rather than stressing about potential weight gain.
With 1.5 million followers across various social media platforms, Mulligan emphasizes the importance of mental health during the holidays.”A lot of people struggle enough at Christmas without having to stress on the scales over the stones and pounds,” he said.
“No food is bad for you,” Mulligan asserts. He acknowledges that Christmas is a time for indulgence,with an abundance of treats and festive delights.
Mulligan reminds us that health is multifaceted, encompassing not only physical well-being but also mental and social aspects.
He encourages those concerned about holiday weight gain to enjoy thier favorite treats in moderation, suggesting a balanced approach that includes a walk or a glass of water alongside indulgences. “You can always go back and lose a stone or a kilo, but you can never go back and gain a memory that you have lost by not going to a social event,” he wisely states.
Mulligan shared a poignant anecdote about a client who missed her father’s last birthday due to her diet. This experience underscores the importance of cherishing moments and prioritizing experiences over strict calorie counting.
“Eventually your life is going to pass away while you are worrying about stones and kilos. Health is about balance. If you have a life that is all gym and exercise, you are going to end up with a negative mindset, and the same if you go to the other end of the scale.”
Mulligan’s personal journey began seven years ago when he lost six and a half stone through self-directed research into nutrition and sports science. Maintaining this weight loss for almost a decade demonstrates the effectiveness of his approach.
As a testament to his philosophy, Mulligan conducted experiments demonstrating that even indulging in foods like McDonald’s daily or consuming spoonfuls of sugar could result in weight loss, highlighting the complexities of calorie counting.
He acknowledges that a typical Christmas Day feast can be calorie-rich but clarifies that this calorie surplus isn’t necessarily detrimental. “If the scales are up the next day, it’s probably to do with all the food still in your stomach or water retention from all the extra carbohydrates, none of which contribute to fat gain.”
Focus on Affordability and Nutritional Value
mulligan also advocates for government subsidies to make healthy food more accessible and affordable.he criticizes the current system where ultra-processed foods are frequently enough cheaper than fresh,nutritious alternatives,calling for a shift towards prioritizing nutritional value over cost.
“Instead of a sugar tax, we shoudl have some compensation for foods that are higher on the nutritional scale because it is an absolute disgrace that you can pick up ultra processed foods for much less than fresh and healthy goods.”
## Archyde Exclusive: Enjoy the Feast Without the Guilt – A Conversation with Oisin Mulligan
**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde, and today we’re joined by renowned sports scientist and personal trainer Oisin Mulligan, who’s here to talk about navigating the festive season without sacrificing your mental well-being. Oisin, thanks for joining us!
**Oisin Mulligan:** Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure to be here.
**Archyde:** Oisin,with Christmas just around the corner,a lot of people find themselves worrying about weight gain and calorie counting during the holidays. what’s your take on this?
**Oisin Mulligan:** [ [1](https://www.tiktok.com/@mulligainz_fitness/video/7309551968446467360) ]You know, Christmas should be a time for joy, connection, and creating memories, not stressing over every calorie. The holidays are a time of indulgence, and that’s okay! No food is inherently “bad” for you.
**Archyde:** You’ve saeid that prioritising mental health during the holidays is crucial. Can you elaborate on that?
**Oisin Mulligan:** Absolutely.For many people, Christmas can already be a stressful time. Adding the pressure of strict diets and calorie counting can be detrimental to their mental well-being. We should be focusing on enjoying time with loved ones and celebrating the season, not punishing ourselves for enjoying a few treats.
**Archyde:** You have a massive following online, with 1.5 million followers across different platforms. How do you use your platform to address these issues and promote a healthy relationship with food?
**Oisin Mulligan:** I try to emphasize that a balanced approach to food and exercise is key. It’s about making enduring choices that fit into your lifestyle, not resorting to restrictive diets or extreme measures. I encourage people to listen to their bodies, enjoy treats in moderation, and focus on overall wellness rather than fixating on a number on the scale.
**Archyde:** Excellent advice, Oisin. We appreciate you sharing your insights with us.
**Oisin Mulligan:** Thank you. Happy holidays, everyone!
## Enjoy The Festive Feast: Personal Trainer Says Don’t Count Calories This Christmas
This Christmas, personal trainer and sports scientist Oisin Mulligan is offering a refreshing viewpoint on holiday indulgences. With a massive following of 1.5 million across social media, Mulligan is urging everyone to prioritize memories over calories and savor the festive celebrations without stressing about weight gain.
“A lot of people struggle enough at Christmas without having to stress on the scales over the stones and pounds,” he acknowledged in a recent interview. Emphasizing a holistic approach to health, mulligan asserts that “no food is bad for you” and encourages a balanced enjoyment of holiday treats.
He acknowledges that Christmas is a time for indulgence, reminding us that “eventually your life is going to pass away while you are worrying about stones and kilos.” Mulligan advocates for finding balance,stating,”Health is about balance. If you have a life that is all gym and exercise, you are going to end up with a negative mindset, and the same if you go to the other end of the scale.”
Mulligan, who lost six and a half stone seven years ago through self-directed research in nutrition and sports science, promotes a mindset focusing on overall well-being rather than strict calorie counting. He underscores the importance of cherished moments,sharing a poignant anecdote about a client who missed her father’s last birthday due to her restrictive diet.
Mulligan himself conducted experiments showing that even indulging in foods like McDonald’s daily or consuming spoonfuls of sugar could result in weight loss, highlighting the complexity of calorie counting. He reminds us that a typical Christmas Day feast, while calorie-rich, isn’t necessarily detrimental. “If the scales are up the next day, it’s probably to do with all the food still in your stomach or water retention from all the extra carbohydrates, none of which contribute to fat gain.”
**Mulligan’s Key Takeaways:**
* **Prioritize experiences over strict calorie counting**: Christmas is a time for making memories,not stressing over food.
* **Enjoy your favorite treats in moderation**: Balance indulgences with walks, water, and mindful eating.
* **Remember that food is not “good” or “bad”**: All foods can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
* **focus on affordability and nutritional value**: Opt for seasonal produce and make your own dishes to save money and control ingredients.
This Christmas, take Mulligan’s advice and savor the festive feast without guilt. Remember, health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, and true nourishment comes from embracing the joy of the season.
