How to Enjoy Thanksgiving Without Guilt
Combat The Holiday Food Frenzy.
The holiday season is upon us and as a nutrition and wellness coach, I am inundated with some variation of the following questions:
*can we skip weigh in's this week?
*how much do I need to work out to not gain weight???
*I'll diet after the holidays
So to not ruffle any feathers while simultaneously standing for the cause (health and wellness), I'm sharing my top reasons on why and HOW you can enjoy the food --WITHOUT having 15 lbs of regret (and weight) later.
Take stock of the perspective. From Oct 31-Jan 3, you are in a time warp of celebrations and situations built around food. You may find yourself approaching these events with: “Let me get in a good workout now so I can eat/drink later” or “let me not eat anything so I can save up room/calories for later.” None of which are helpful or effective. The truth of the matter is your focus is greatly misplaced. This time of year should have very little to do with the food you eat. This season should be packed with childlike fun, community, gratitude, giving, and grace. They include friends and family and opportunities to create joyful memories. The food you serve or eat should be an insignificant factor in the actual event or gathering. Therefore, if you’re eating to fuel your body, you can enjoy the delicacies without exhausting your energy on the mental math around them. You can eat what you want because the priority of your day and time spent will be on the people you’re with.
Restriction is a dangerous and ineffective road to travel. Unless you’re in a structured training program for a specific event, there isn't any reason you should feel the need to follow your “diet” during holiday mealtimes. Restricting our mind and body from certain things often leads to binging on them down the road. This results in the “I already screwed up. I may as well enjoy it now and diet/work it off later.” That is why once you’ve moved into a maintenance phase of your wellness journey it is important to ensure you have a solid mindset around specific “treats”. One way to do this is to have an intentional mindset BEFORE you walk into a gathering. Decide ahead of time what you’re going to try and how much and then commit to that mindset. Notice, you’re committing to the mindset around your goals as opposed to committing to “not allowing” yourself something. There is a difference between restriction and boundaries. Take time to learn the difference. Having boundaries will allow you to enjoy the celebrations without feeling “left out”.
Stop trying to win the game of “this for that”. That’s what it is...a game. It’s a mind game of epic proportions and you’re probably not going to come out on top if you try to play. So don’t. If you go into the holiday season restricting yourself, mentally self-sabotaging, feeling guilty, left out, or uncomfortable, you’re going to make decisions that will ultimately leave you feeling worse. The result of which typically leads to a cycle of behaviors that last way beyond January 1st. The ongoing cycle of restriction and overindulgence leads to mental anguish and self-deprivation. Not to mention metabolic damage. Instead, focus on acceptance and self-love. Stay present instead of sacrificing so much energy into the food.
The fact is, if you’re eating to fuel your body (see #1), and have been all year, you probably won’t have a desire to eat a whole lot different than you do on any given day. And if you’re eating to fuel your body as a lifestyle, a few extras during a holiday meal/vacation/special occasion isn’t going to make or break wellness goals.
It’s when you continue way past situational moments, you begin to fall back into unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Warrior Forward Wellness is designed around health and happiness. If you’re not aligned with either of these two outcomes or struggling to find the mindset necessary, then now is an excellent time to begin your new year journey. Moving through the holiday season with support, accountability, and guidance will not only set you up for success after January 1st and beyond but allow you to enjoy the indulgences of this time without overindulging in the emotional response the focus on food can cause.
