Permission To Make Your Health A Priority

Is it just me or do you feel like there is temptation EVERYWHERE this time of year??? I feel like the only way to escape it is to avoid leaving the house... but even then my kids are somehow bringing in cookies, gingerbread houses and literally bags of candy to try and throw me off my game. Somehow everything is "special" and calls for sugar! I will not be taken down by even the sweetest of peanut brittle - I will beat Christmas and all its delicious temptation!

This week I had an experience that I bet everyone reading this can identify with. I was in a group setting and had done a good job eating a balanced and healthy lean/green style selection from the buffet line.  As others got up and got their dessert I refilled my water glass and then continued with conversation avoiding the dessert table all together.

And then it happened....
Well-Meaning Friend - "You HAVE to try this!"

Me - "I'm fine, no thanks."

WMF - "No, seriously... you need just one bite."

Me - "Thats okay, I don't really like pie." (Complete lie!)

WMF - Moving their fork towards my face: "One bite and you will LOVE pie! Just try it."

I didn't eat it. (Insert applause here.)
But this situation got my mind going as we finished up our visit.

If I had a peanut allergy, I certainly hope someone wouldn't be trying to get me to take "just one bite" of peanut butter cup.

If I had diabetes, I would hope that people would accept my "no, thank you" as enough of an answer and not try to kill me with cake.

If I just hated the taste/smell of coffee, I would hope that nobody would shovel a spoonful of mocha royal in my face causing a gag reflex.

So WHY is the desire to stay healthy and resist the temptation of sweets met with a challenge and questioning from our social circles? WHY does choosing to say no make me feel guilty, like I am hurting somebodies feelings? WHY do I feel like I need to eat food for other people? WHY?

And that's when what I have been learning for the past year was once again confirmed in both my head and heart. I need to feel confident supporting my food choices the same away someone with an allergy or medical condition would. After all.. obesity is a medical condition! I need to recognize my trigger and gateway foods and stand strong against them. It's not only okay for me to make choices that keep me focused on my goals, but I deserve to stay on track and not sabotage myself.
I need to protect me.
I need to stand up for me.
I need to make wise choices for me.
I am the only person that can keep me on track.
My health is my responsibility and I need to see it as important... even when temptation is taunting me.

So friends... as we encounter temptation this month I want to encourage you to be selfish and make you and your health a priority. Enjoy your friends, family and the special events of the season - and enjoy learning to view your health as important!



P.S. -  Hope you like the pics of some healthy Christmas treats that you can take to parties and add to the festivities.

P.P.S. - One of my favorite things about this program is that the supplemental meal fuelings are not meant to be forever - they are a tool to reach our goal of health.  Reaching a healthy weight is just one of the many steps to the program and in time we learn to transition back to eating regular foods and then maintaining a healthy weight/lifestyle.
And AFTER we get there, once we have changed our habits and are living a heathy lifestyle, we can have the occasional treat. (So basically, we're not saying goodbye to treats forever... we're just saying good-bye & see you later.)