Know what the biggest mistake I see women making often make during the holidays regarding your eating or health goals?
You are too hard on yourself.
This is a biggie that I used to do frequently. I’d feel so guilty, discouraged, and mad at myself for what I ate that day that I’d just say “To heck with it. I’m just going to eat whatever during the next month and then get back to eating better once the New Year comes.”
You may even go so far as to be really down on yourself and say, “I can’t do this. It’s too hard to eat this way during the holidays (or you may sub during vacation or my birthday or whatever).” You may even think you’ll never be able to lose weight, feel better, or fit into that special pair of jeans or dress again. You may think that you’ll never feel better. And then what happens next is you just give up.
Is that you? Have you ever said that or done that? If so, I want to reassure you that you’re not alone. I used to do that a lot years ago. And I know some of my clients come to me having done that as well. And they continue to beat themselves up.
However, why would you want to completely sabotage yourself, your health, your goals, and your mental and physical health by saying something so negative to yourself?
Would you say that to someone else? Probably not. So don’t say it to yourself!
All that kind of talk will do is discourage you, fill you with despair, and no hope. And there’s always hope and you can always change. With small steps and just trying.
So what if you do have a sugar binging issue over a day or two after that holiday event you attended where they offered a mouth-watering morsel of ________ (whatever is your favorite food)? Relax, it happens to everyone.
But here’s the key – this is the most important strategy: get back on track ASAP. Just begin again eating healthy the next meal or next day – maybe eat a healthy protein-filled breakfast the next day or eat a salad or veggies, or exercise or walk around the neighborhood.
And strategy number 2: this is important, too – get rid of any tempting leftovers.
If you’re hosting, send the leftovers home with your guests, bring them to work or send them to work with your spouse or friend, share with a neighbor, bring them to the fire station or police station. Or if you brought something to a party, leave the remainder there. Or (and here’s one that people are surprised about) throw them away. I promise it’s not a sin! Better in the garbage than on your hips and waist, right?
Remember, If a food is a temptation, or your trigger, you don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed that you have a difficult time resisting it. Just admit it to yourself and take steps to get it out of sight! That’s called being an adult, realizing what triggers you, and doing what you can to prevent it.
This is my personal best course of action. While I can resist some things, if it’s here in my house for long, I will sniff it out like a coon dog hunting a raccoon! So I give it away or toss it!
We want to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. And making and eating special food is part of it. But we don’t have to let it completely derail all our hard work or our goals for the remainder of the year. And we don’t want to be so judgmental of ourselves that we throw in the towel, right? So give yourself love and grace you’d give anyone else during the holidays.
We don’t have to gain weight or eat ourselves into a carb or sugar coma complete with brain fog, bloating, or guilt. Try these two strategies this holiday season and see if they are beneficial in helping you physically and mentally maintain your health while also enjoying this special season.
And if you’d like some help one-on-one with someone who not only has been trained to help clients but who has also walked the same journey, reach out to me. As a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, I help guide you, keep you accountable, and help you strategize to decrease symptoms, change your mindset, and achieve your goals. Click here to set up a free 20-minute consult. I’d love the opportunity to work with you. — Leah Cheshire, NBC-HWC
