Christmas is a time for friends, family, feasting and festive good cheer.
But for me it is also an occasion for another important annual event: the yearly weigh-in.
Like many people, I don’t actually own a set of scales.
So the trip to see the family gives me the opportunity not only to spend some quality time with relatives but also clamber onto the metal platform of brutal honesty for the ultimate judgement on whether it has been a “thumbs up”or “thumbs fat” kind of year.
It may sound like a horrendous ritual more suitable for farm animals but actually it’s quite a nice necessity.
It’s relatively painless and I always know that, whatever the outcome, I can always blame it on the booze, the mince pies or even the weather, depending on whichever way the wind blows (on second thoughts, perhaps wind is an unfortunate term to use...).
You see weight has never really been a personal demon for me.
I’ve always been the Kit Kat side of chunky as I like a beer, I like pastry and I happen to really like Christmas.
But it’s never been something which I’ve ever felt I really have to do something about. I mean I’m mindful, but not obsessive.
As it happens, December is perhaps the worst time to do any form of judging as it inevitably results in a European Union food mountain disappearing into the deepest darkest depths of my stomach.
As someone recently said to me, over Christmas I have a seven-day diet but the problem is I eat it in two.
Then the new year arrives and with January comes new opportunities and countless personal promises to be the new you.
It also gives decision makers a chance to reflect on what they can do to make things better for people, particularly in the battle against the bulge.
Weight has become a national health issue, second perhaps only to smoking.
Experts believe more than a quarter of all adults in the county will be seriously overweight by 2014 if they don’t change their lifestyles.
It is also expensive – obesity is expected to cost the county more than £460m per year by 2015, with Brighton and Hove alone going up from £78.1 million to £83.5 million.
Latest figures also show about one in six ten and 11-year-olds in Brighton and Hove are obese, although admittedly among the youngest this is falling.
As it was, last week saw two very differing approaches to tackle what is literally a big issue.
In the blue corner is Tory-led Westminster Council which unveiled a plan to axe benefits for fat people who do not exercise.
In the red corner is our very own Green-controlled Brighton and Hove City Council which wants to offer 40% discounts at leisure centres for those people on a wide range of benefits.
The only downside is that to pay for it, the bill will have to be picked up by regular users.
Is this fair? Well that is another debate completely.
But it does beg the question if it is as simple as either the carrot or the stick.
Decision makers should note that weight-loss, as with smoking, is entirely up to the individual.
Yes, these steps will help and kudos to both councils for doing something radical.
But if people want to eat cake, then they will bloomin’ well eat cake, bread or any other form of carbalicious treat.
It is only when there is a reason to kick the munching habit that the pounds will drop off.
For me, that incentive will always be a bleak day when man meets scales.
Take back benefits of the well-off
According to the Chinese, 2013 is the year of the snake – but, politically, it inevitably will be remembered for one thing: benefits.
The question of state handouts and who should be eligible will always be a hot potato.
But in times of austerity and personal budgets being squeezed, the attitude towards people getting “something for nothing” will inevitably become hostile.
The Treasury recently said that in the current financial year almost one pound in every three raised in tax will be spent on benefits.
There are hundreds of thousands of people who need some support.
And while we’d all like a little extra, with tens of millions being cut from here, there and everywhere, it is inevitable that some claimants will have to stand on their own feet.
The problem facing work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith is how do cut the bill without appearing mean-spirited.
Attempts to tackle the issue have not been the problem, it’s just they have been ill-thought out and poorly executed.
Only last week more than 300,000 people had not been warned by HM Revenue and Customs that they must start filling in complex tax returns unless they stop claiming child benefit in a matter of days.
Clearly this is unacceptable.
But three years into a five-year term of government and changes have to be made now.
Winter fuel allowance is one thing that will be debated, as are concessionary bus fares for those over 65.
Is it right that well-to-do and working pensioners receive these no questions asked?
I for one would seriously think again about how the scheme is administered.
If people at the lowest end of society have to lose out then why should those who can afford it not pay their way? Now that would be a real benefit to society.
Pier fire blame
A judge has ruled that an alarm company was negligent over a fire which devastated Weston-super-Mare’s pier.
The attraction’s owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have been awarded a £30m interim payment.
Reading such stories always makes me think if anyone will ever take the blame for the demise of Brighton’s very own West Pier.
A sign of loss
A new road sign appears to have been installed in Princes Place, which is just off North Road, Brighton.
Is that not supposed to be Prince’s Place? Or even Princes’ Place?
I’d be grateful for any local experts to clarify.
Average price
Experts have revealed the average price of a home in Brighton and Hove is £310,000.
Apparently house prices in the city have increased by 42% since 2002.
For young professionals and families, is there any hope of ever getting onto the property ladder before their mid-30s?
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