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Jockey Jonathan Riddell sits in the sauna to lose weight before Boxing Day races - Source: ONE News -
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While most Kiwis will be stuffing themselves on Christmas Day, there are a couple of people who are doing just the opposite.
Jockeys around the country have been fasting as they prepare for one of the biggest race days on Boxing Day, which attracts thousands of punters.
The jockeys need to be light, as they ride their horses to a win and this means foregoing the usual Christmas feasting.
Jonathan Riddell is one of those starving for a win. He is trying to lose four kilos on Christmas so he can make his weight at the races on Saturday.
Riddell says his family wasn't hanging around him - they are off to enjoy a more festive time rather than watch him waste away on Christmas day.
Jockeys say the key to losing weight is dehydrating themselves as much as possible.
If they drink one bottle of water even, they could increase their weight by a whole kilo.So during this busy racing season they will not even be drinking much.
A study in 2002 found 20% of Kiwi jockeys have eating disorders and most use techniques to lose weight, including diuretics, saunas, and laxatives.
Jockey Robbie Harnam is one of the luckier ones. At just 4'8 he was able to enjoy a small taste of Christmas lunch with his family.
"I have to ride 53 tomorrow so I still have to be a little bit careful and at the same time I will hop in the spa and shed another kilo, quarter of a kilo and I'll be sweet for the races," says Harnam.
Jockey's can be weighed up to 15 times a day at the races and Riddell says that is a major worry throughout the day.
Keeping the diet on track, it's all aimed at winning on the racetrack in the end.
