Irish trainer says eat what you like over Christmas…

Irish trainer says eat what you like over Christmas and shares secret to 'change mindset' in January

A personal fitness trainer is urging everyone to eat what they like and enjoy Christmas, in an effort to remove the guilt around food.

Oisín Mulligan believes people worry about putting on weight over the festive season and don't realise how hard it is to actually put on a pound of fat.

The 24-year-old qualified in sports science and nutrition five years ago after he lost an incredible six and a half stone through his own research into food.

Now, he wants to remove the guilt people have around food and create awareness that you can eat what you want and still lose weight.

"People think they have to give up certain foods to lose weight but no food is bad for you" said Oisín, who is followed by 90,000 followers on TikTok and 15,000 on Instagram.

"If you drink too much water, it can kill you or if you overeat on vegetables, too much fibre can damage your body. Too much of anything isn't good.

"On an average Christmas Day, most people will have a fry-up, loads of chocolate, mince pies, a big dinner and a dessert. It works out at about 8000 calories, which is about a pound in weight but if I account for thermogenesis which is when your body burns more calories when you eat more calories, it will be less

"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.

"The more guilty people feel about eating, the more they are going to comfort eat. If you have that bar of chocolate, you are less likely to binge eat.

"Enjoy Christmas and have those chocolates and wine and mince pies. If you are overweight at Christmas, chances are it's not Christmas, it is the other eleven months of the year that is the problem.

"And instead of giving up something for the New Year, why not add in something which is easier to do. So add an extra litre of water to your day or an extra two pieces of fruit. Once your mindset has changed, then so will your way of looking at food."

Oisín, from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, was originally set to study architecture in the University of Limerick but his brother's remarks on his weight changed his career path.

"I was 130kilos (almost 19 stone) and my brother came into the bedroom and told me that if I kept going the way I was going, then I wouldn't make it too much into my 20s.

"I went down all the worst routes at the start. I even did a one meal a day diet which is just ridiculous. But then I started learning about nutrition and over the course of a year lost 40 kilos (about six and a half stone).

"I found it fascinating so I decided to study sports science and nutrition so I could help others achieve weight loss without any fad diets."