For me, the holidays used to bring me so much stress! I was so worried that I might eat something I shouldn’t and, too often, I wished the holidays away so that I could stop worrying. Anything I ate was never enjoyed and I suffered from guilt and internal torment for eating it. Last year, I read an email from a woman named Rebecca Marina of Celebration Healing. She made a comment along the lines guilt causing more weight gain than a few hundred extra calories. I realized that she is right.
A light bulb popped on in my head. The stress and resulting worry were probably causing more weight gain than anything. This year, like last year, I will not feel guilty. This year, I am taking it one step further. What I do choose to eat, I will ENJOY. I will take the time and savour every bite.
A few weeks ago, I was comparing the calories in a carton of yogurt with the calories in two peanut butter cups (always forbidden for me) and I realized, that they were virtually the same. Though 99.99% of the time, I would not allow myself to have the candy, I did wonder why not? Once in a while, would my body know the difference, or would I know? Was my own guilt causing me to punish myself mercillously? I think so.
I am now in the process of allowing myself to enjoy a small amount of something I used to forbid and enjoying whatever I eat. So, in the spirit of the holidays, enjoy what you eat, make it the best quality most desirable thing you can find. Be reasonable and try to exercise a little bit more. Banish the guilt …life is short and the holidays are soon over.
Merry Christmas!
Diane
