Common Sense Observations

Post Holiday Diet – Commit And Avoid The Guilt

It’s the holiday season again. Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. That’s about 38 days straight of feasting, present-giving and partying capped off by an afternoon of football. Starting with the Thanksgiving banquet and ending with snacks in front of the TV, food is the constant, ever present element of the holiday season. Not just any food, either. Tasty, delicious homemade treats that are only available during the holiday season.

You’ve heard the expression “There are no atheists in foxholes.” Well, there are no dieters in the holiday season. It’s certainly understandable, who can resist grandma’s fresh baked butter cookies, mom’s candied yams with marshmallows or Aunt Helen’s homemade fruit cake drizzled with dark rum? Nobody – that’s who. Not even the strongest willed dieters are able to turn their noses up at the sublime culinary delicacies that grace our tables during the holiday season.

I admit it – I have to watch my weight. This is especially true during the winter months when frigid outdoor temperatures tend to keep me confined to the house. I’m not very good at long term diets, so when the old waistline starts to expand, I go on a diet until my diameter is back to where it should be. I’ve read that this is not the preferred method for a diet, but it works for me.

I think most Americans have to go on at least a short diet immediately after the holiday season. Having been alive for more than six decades, I can longer even contemplate the vast number of times I’ve heard people say “After the holidays, I simply MUST diet!” They usually say this while wolfing down a huge piece of frosted cake, some warm baked cookies or some other calorie-laden delight. I know I did the same thing for years.

A few years ago I made a discovery about the annual post holiday season diet. I discovered that, in fact, at the conclusion of the holiday season and its obligatory gorging, I will indeed go on a diet until my weight is back to normal. Ergo, I no longer needed to feel guilt or announce my diet intention every time I consumed some pallet pleasing goodie. This discovery has made my enjoyment of the holiday season much greater than in previous years.

If you’re going to diet after the holiday season food fests, then simply acknowledge that firm commitment to yourself. Quit chastising yourself every time you decide to eat one more cookie or a second slice of pie. What’s the point of making your pallet happy if you’re going to punish yourself with guilt even as you chew? You know that you’ll be starting your diet on the 2^nd or 3^rd of January – so just relish the flavors of all the mouth watering treats available to you now.

Guilt is a cruel and heartless bedfellow. It dramatically diminishes all forms of joy, happiness and pleasure. Avoid guilt this year. Commit to a post holiday diet. Start your diet on time. Oblige the diet you committed to. When the diet is over, acknowledge yourself for your commitment and success. This method won’t stop you from needing to diet after next year’s holiday season, but it will make your next holiday season much more enjoyable.

Chances are that you will have to diet after the holidays. If you’re like me, that’s hard enough. No point in adding guilt to the mix. Try my method of dealing with holiday weight gains and see how your holiday season plays out this year. I’m confident you’ll have more fun, feel better and enjoy those once a year treats that we all love so much.