Christmas is over. You've probably eaten a LOT over the past few weeks. Your favorite pants may be pinching a little, and you may be entering mirror-avoidance mode.
Now, tell me. All those articles that advised you to eat a healthy snack before heading out to holiday shindigs. Did those prevent you from stuffing yourself with canapes? How about the ones that gave you fitness advice for shedding the post-Christmas pounds. Are those inspiring you to hit the gym, HARD? Or does all that stuff just make you feel worse about chowing down on food you love for a few short weeks? Let's try this instead.
Here is your mantra in the aftermath of holiday overindulgence:
I will not give up, but I will not beat myself up.
It is PERFECTLY NATURAL for you to gain weight over the holidays. If you live in the northern hemi, it is also perfectly natural for you to pack on a few just because it's cold! Do not decide that you are a terrible human just because you had three helpings of figgy pudding, and do not descend into depression just because you allowed yourself some food-related fun.
What you need to do now is this:
- Cut yourself some slack
- Reign in the celebratory eating
- Return to healthy habits of consumption and exercise
This is the only body you've got.
Be kind to it.
Befriend it.
Work with it, not against it.
Care for it tenderly and you will be a much happier person.
(Reposted from last year. I know, I know, so much reposting. But kiddos, the message still holds true! Image via gotplaid?, whose Flickr post includes some insightful, caring, and supportive commentary.)
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30 comments:
I manage not to gain too much weight during the holidays, simply because I can't get myself to stay on the table for too long. Family table conversations just get on my appetite... The sofa is much more intriguing for my liking. Plus, I sleep waaaay too much. And you can't eat while you're sleeping, so there!
This is awesome! I should really send this to my mother. :)
Loved it last year, love it this year. You are bossy! For my own part, I haven't left the house in 3 days. Nor have I done any yoga. And I haven't exactly been laying off the baklava. So I don't have to work too hard today to clean up my act. Anything would be appreciated by my body :-)
This is a great post... definitely worth the repost!... and one I really needed to hear today!
Thanks to post-holiday guilt, I woke up early and hit the treadmill. But your post was a great reminder that a focus on health--instead of guilt!--is the best motivation!
Amen!
Actually, I think the absolute best way to gain weight over the holidays is to attempt to deprive yourself and then beat yourself up when you cave (e.g. passing up your aunt's fabulous scalloped potatoes then standing in front of the fridge at midnight nibbling at the horrible fruitcake...not like I've ever done that, of course!)
;-p
Actually, I think this is a great time to get in tune with your body as there's so many fabulous treats floating around. (Do you really *like* eggnog, or do you just feel like it's only available now so better have some before it's gone?)
I'm new to the blog--which I totally love--but even if I'd seen this 500 times, it would still be worth re-reading. I'm glad I went into this season thinking it was probable that I'd gain a little bit, and that was okay, because I know I can get back on the healthy path and stay there. Still, it's good to have that reinforced. Thank you for reposting.
very important message and i love this blog!
new gal, joey
http://limbicfire.blogspot.com/
Crap. Got on the scale this morning. 5 pounds up. And so fast too. Thank you for this post, it helps to not be alone.
amen, sister!
i'm with you that guilt is not a productive part of my self-esteem and i enjoy eating christmas cookies as much as i enjoy that extra motivation to hit the gym in january.
you're the best, sally!
Oddly enough, I've managed to lose a couple pounds the past 2-3 weeks. I think its because I wasn't able to go home to my parents' house so I avoided all the really unhealthy fried food. Instead we spent the holidays with The Fiance's family and the meals were definitely healthier. Regardless, I plan on being nice to myself and working out to feel good and maintain my progress rather than focusing on the guilt of not having worked out for a while.
Your advice is good. You're right, guilt is an inferior motivator.
But I am thankful that I WAS able to put some of the tips to work and have come through the holidays holding on to the weight loss that I had so recently realized.
Whether we've been "successful" or less than so in the past, THIS minute is all we have for sure. And any future we are given will be made up of minutes, too. So let's make 'em count!
This is excellent advice, Sal! I would like nothing more to hit the running trails and my yoga mat right now to make up for my holiday excess, but I am hacking up a storm. So I am cutting myself some extra slack and spending most of my time on the couch.
Mmmm - good post! I'm still enjoying picking away at the post-holiday food (but that includes things like turkey sandwiches, which are really rather good for you). I'm also sleeping a lot and not having breakfast if I don't want to ... if I wake up feeling like a cup of peppermint tea is all I want, then that's probably what my body needs. As at any time of year, being sensible and drinking lots of fluids (helping to fill you up and flush out excesses) has to be a good idea, right?
Sal, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the fact that the comments here echo the warm, welcoming atmosphere of your posts. I know it's possible only through the magic of comment moderation, so there may be a lot we don't see, but it's still great that the commenters create a supportive community.
I've hit the gym already and the reining in starts on the 2nd! I'm on a mission xx
Wonderful post, but how'd you get that picture of me?
Molly: I appreciate it, too! I feel so fortunate to have connected with such a compassionate, smart, amazing group of readers. I definitely get the occasional troll and plenty of SPAM, but you guys probably see 9 out of 10 comments. And I know that makes me very lucky. (And I hope I'm not jinxing it by saying so here!)
I feel like I'm hanging out with the wrong crowd because I don't really eat differently over the holidays than I do at any other time! Am I not getting invited to the good parties or something?
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!!!! I am dreading the blogs tomorrow all about how "fat" everyone has become over the last month...thank you for the reminder to be kind to our bodies.
Thank you for posting this. I'm totally linking to it. We all need to read this!
Love this post and couldn't agree more with the advice you've offered.
There's a natural "reining in" that occurs after the holidays, I think. No need to freak out -- trust your body, and be kind to it.
If you feel like you've really fallen out of a healthy habits routine, try picking one thing to focus on at a time (e.g., today I'm going to drink an extra glass of water or today, I'm going to have some vegetables with my lunch instead of chips).
I find it helps me to focus on how I feel. I'll be honest -- I indulged in some holiday favorites and really felt the difference in my energy level. My body is welcoming a return to healthier foods -- sort of like, "OK, we enjoyed the cookies and egg nog, but it's time to move on."
No guilt involved!
Thanks, Sal. I needed this post! -C
Great advice! I work with individuals with eating disorders and have to periodically keep my own perceptions of myself in check. I always gain a few in December but really enjoy doing so! The insulation from the cold and warm comfort foods get me through! I always regain my healthy habits in the new year so I just go with it and thank my body for being such a good sport! I am happy I stumbled upon your blog and even more excited to see that I am on your blog roll! Thank you so much!
Love it! Thank you for posting this, and making me feel better about having liquorice for breakfast :P
I went to the Dr the other day. Normally I do not look at the scale. I lost about 55 pounds 5 years ago and since then, I find it's best to just let my clothes do the weighing, because I can obess about the numbers. But after the year I've had, and ALL the comfort eating I've been doing, I was all of 3 pounds over my goal weight. And you know what? I congratdualated myself for it, and so did the Dr.
I really enjoy reading your blog!
xoxo
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"fashionably tasteful.have a bite"
May at anneandmay just posted about how she always keeps her Lenten resolutions but New Year's ones are so hard.
Now I think I know why: New Year's resolutions are almost always about doing something better while Lenten resolutions are about doing something different, that will almost inevitably make you better in some way. But self-betterment isn't the goal. Paying attention and practicing voluntary discipline are the point, and I think if we applied that to January 1 as well, we'd be a lot better to ourselves.
Haha -- mirror avoidance mode is my norm. Seriously, there is exactly one mirror in my house, and it's the one over the sink. I'd get rid of that one if my daughters (much better looking than I) would stand for it. Holiday pigging out -- sure, why not? I'm already disgusting looking.
I love this. With so many mass media messages of dieting and weight loss around the new year, it is nice to have this positive and empowering post remind me to love my body no matter what :)
ps. sorry you were sick for so long!
I'm waaaaay less active in the cold fall / winter. I gained weight even before the Holiday Season starts.
I heard this is a biological thing too. I'm exercising from home.. but than it increases my appetite.. lol.. but I do feel better for exercising.. even if I'm not losing weight .. due to overeating even more after exercising.
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