Ditch the Guilt Wrapping this Christmas

Ditch The Guilt Wrapping This Christmas


Article By: Carole Ann Rice www.weightwatchers.ca


Stay true to yourself—and your weight loss goals—this Christmas…
Taking seasonal strain? Peruse these fantastic festive tips from Life Coach Carole Ann Rice to overcome the festive pressure to overindulge—and discover how to focus on you and your weight-loss goals this Christmas.


"Go on, have another slice, I made it just for you" is just one of those phrases everyone watching their weight dreads, along with "a bit more won't make any difference" or "spoil sport" (if it looks like you're ready to refuse diet sabotage). When you're losing weight it can sometimes seem as if the world is conspiring to stop you.

At Christmas time it is almost obligatory to overeat and feast until you're reaching for the indigestion cure - because if you don't, you feel everyone will think you're spoiling their fun. The good news is that this yuletide you don't have to let guilt get in the way of your food plan.

Make This Your Christmas
When we feel obliged or manipulated into eating, or doing, something against our will, we are forcing ourselves to live by someone else's agenda. In order to go with the flow or not cause a fuss, we set ourselves up to damage our own self esteem and willpower. People feel that they've "won" (i.e. got you to do something to please them) if you give in to their demands, but will secretly respect you less.

This Christmas decide to be true to you. Ask yourself: "Do I really want to do this? What will really be the true consequences?" Think about it. Will your friends or family really push you out of their lives if you don't eat a mountain of trifle?

Isn't their anxiety about what you are or not eating more about them than you? What do they get out of pushing their needs on you? Can you really justify that sixth mince pie and cream? A desire to be all things to all people will show up as a lack of self worth. Life becomes one big guilt trip where you bow to the needs of others whiles subjugating your own. Buying gifts for people you don't like or feel obliged to buy for, will only drain your energy and make you feel abused and railroaded by convention.

Simple Self Caring Solution
So how do you say no to other people's demands and expectations? Very simply, know yourself and put your needs first. This doesn't mean you are selfish but self caring. It means that you let people know that you mean what you say; that you stick to your word and have integrity.

"I'd love to have another helping, it's delicious, but so want to stick to my food plan so I can start the New Year feeling and looking great" is a perfectly reasonable response. Their discomfort, remember, is about their issues around food or who they thought you were.

Usually people who know themselves and respect their own needs, in the face of opposition and objection, then go on to inspire the very people who sought to control them.

Saying yes to please others but not yourself will lead to self sabotage on many levels. Say no, mean it and honour yourself and you walk away feeling great, more confident and on target to meet your personal goals.