If I say “holiday” and “fear,” you probably think of Halloween, yah? Well, you ought to think about the end-of-year holidays, because if there’s anything the diet industry loves, it’s to work you into a paroxysm of fear over how much weight you’re going to gain over the next couple of weeks.
I just saw an interview on the local news (with two thin women, of course) offering strategies for coping with horrible things like parties, buffets, and potluck lunches. You know the kind of advice I mean: Eat something before you go, keep your hands busy, don’t stand near the food, drink lots of water. You definitely wouldn’t want to let yourself enjoy some treats and have a good time. Constant vigilance!
Well, I have my own coping strategies, and I want to share them with you. I’ve boiled it down to two simple steps for surviving the holidays. These are going to change your life. Ready?
- Embrace joy.
- Abandon guilt.
No, really, that’s it. Instead of fretting over every bite, instead of stressing about gaining a few pounds, instead of spending so much time planning your fat attack for January 1st that you miss out on all the fun here at the end of year, why don’t you try having a good time? Sure, you will probably put on some pounds if you allow yourself to enjoy all your favorite things during the holidays, but… you will also be… enjoying yourself. Doesn’t that sound nice?
There’s this idea that depriving ourselves, holding ourselves to strict standards (especially when it comes to our food choices) makes us good, strong, better. It has become commonplace to police and moralize our (and others’) food choices. This holiday season, I challenge you to abandon those ideas, and have another cookie instead.
Chances are, you are doing something (probably many things) to make the holidays special for someone (probably many someones). While you’re busy shopping, cooking, wrapping, and celebrating, do something special for someone very close to you – yourself. This holiday season, embrace joy and abandon guilt. You can’t wrap these ideas or stick a bow on them, but they are truly a gift.
