First and foremost, Happy Holidays to you! I’m always extra thankful this time of year for all of you who

Me and LuLu getting ready for my annual cookie-baking extravaganza!

have been loyal readers and part of our Body Project Family.

I wanted to send a quick email to you – because, like many of my articles and emails, sometimes I am compelled to write because of something a client says, a conversation I overhear in a grocery store, or even a post on Facebook.

But here is what has struck me over the last few days…

While I’m perusing on Facebook, listening to conversations, speaking with clients, etc….I’ve heard a lot of this lately:

“I have to resist all these baked goods!”

“I can’t wait for the holidays to be over so I’m not tempted by all the cookies and chocolate.”

“I have to really get back on my diet after the holidays.”

“I just have to stop but I can’t help myself!”

…you’ve heard these or have said something like this at some point too…right?

Well, here is my take on this, and it might  be completely opposite to what you think I’m going to tell you about how to “survive the holidays.”

EAT COOKIES.

The fruits of our labor...and so much to share and enjoy!

EAT THE CHOCOLATE.
BAKE 100s OF COOKIES.
SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS.
CONTINUE FAMILY TRADITIONS.
TASTE TEST FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE.

Instead, look at the words we’re telling ourselves:

RESIST.
STAY AWAY FROM.
TEMPTATION.
I’M CHEATING.
I CAN’T STOP.
I FEEL SO GUILTY.

In my mind, these are NOT the words we should be associating with the holidays or with a healthy lifestyle.

This is the negative self-talk that you’ve hear me speak of before,and is your NUMBER 1 ENEMY for reaching your goals.

It’s ALL A MINDSET.

Tell yourself to “resist” and I guarantee you…you’ll end up eating more.

Tell yourself that you “can’t have it”…you’ll end up in the spiral of negativity and guilt so you wind up making poor choice after poor choice.

Here are my 2 reasons why you SHOULD eat holiday goodies:

REASON 1. It’s the holidays, rich with family traditions, happy moments, memories of that special recipe you never have any other time of year…why would you take the enjoyment out of those precious life moments and feel guilty about eating a few cookies?

Really…think about it.

This is a mindset…tell yourself to resist, and it’s the human condition to want it more. Tell yourself you enjoy those special moments with a homemade cookie and egg nog…you’ll eat it, enjoy it, and move on. That’s it…no guilt to “make up for” that ultimately leads to other poor choices.

REASON 2. You live a healthy LIFESTYLE, right?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, July 4th…are just a handful of days in the entire year…all 365 days. If you are committed to a healthy lifestyle and a balanced mindset, then those handful of days really aren’t that significant in the grand scheme of things.

Remember my 80/20 Rule? 80% of the time, you’re focused on making good, healthy decisions, 20% of the  time…relax a little! I live by this myself and have seen first-hand how this change in mindset for my clients has led them to finally lose that extra weight WITHOUT dieting, and actually enjoy a healthy lifestyle…all while enjoying those wonderful things in life like a batch of homemade cookies – GUILT FREE.

I baked over 500 cookies yesterday with my mother-in-law. And yes, of course I enjoyed a few too. This tradition is too special to feel guilty about (and frankly the cookies are too good to feel guilty about…).

If there is one word I encourage you to add to your regular talk…ENJOY (instead of “resist”).

ENJOY the holidays.
ENJOY the cookies.
ENJOY the parties.
ENJOY the small things.
I hope this, in even the smallest way, helps you to enjoy your holidays even the tiniest bit more…then I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

My sincerest and warmest wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season!