We are faced with the holiday season. I will not, and cannot, stand before you and claim that I’m perfect. I do not make the best decisions all the time, especially at this time of year.
Do I struggle with temptation? Absolutely I do.
Do I sometimes yield to temptation? Yes, every so often, I do.
I would be disingenuous if I told you, “no” to both questions.
I would also be disingenuous if I didn’t tell you how to fight through temptation and come out on top.
Here are some ideas to combat those holiday cravings, this time of the year:
1. Preparation: You must be mentally and physically prepared for being tempted. More often then not, temptation hits you at the most unexpected time or at your most vulnerable time of the day.
2. Acknowledgment & Accountability: Let everyone know about your journey, so that you may ask for their support. Once you do that, your actions will speak much louder then anything you can ever say.
In other words, when they see you practicing what you preach, those around you will be a lot more likely to help you.
When people see you doing things, from time to time, that is not conducive to the goals you have set for yourself then they may doubt the strength of your convictions to stick to those goals.
3. Don’t beat yourself up over slight set backs. If you do slip up and over indulge, it’s not the end of the world. Like Taylor Swift says, “Shake It Off”. Don’t dwell on the little slip ups. If you do, it may lead to negative thoughts such as, “Oh I’ll start back next week.” Which may lead to further postponement and procrastination, such as, “I’ll start in the New Year.”
When I yield to temptation or slip up, I make myself pay dearly the next day. I will either spend extra time on my NuStep or find time for extra movement to make up for it. The other way to combat giving in to your cravings is to plan and budget for an overindulgence, every so often.
It is important to allow yourself to have a small treat, like a very small piece of pie or dessert. This is doable if your factoring it into your daily caloric count and exercising regularly. I’ll fit in an extra NuStep cardio or weight lifting workout that evening, if I have treated myself.
Then I don’t have the guilt associated with treating myself because I was responsible.
Happy Holidays to you all.
Please comment or check in with us anytime. Together we are stronger, than apart.
Stay Healthy my friends,
