The holidays have always been a struggle for me for two reasons: they are an especially emotionally demanding time; and an extremely tempting time. I love to bake and tend to go overboard. Unfortunately, I do not give it all away, and often I overindulge.

SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Instead of thinking that this is a time to overindulge our appetites, think of the holidays as a time to show more C.A.R.E. to others and ourselves. Compassionately give love to self when you find yourself eating a little more than usual. This is a good place to tune in to your real needs. Accept gracefully that you are human, and it is okay to partake of the holiday cheer and goodies. Respect yourself and your health by setting healthy boundaries about the amount, frequency, and quality. Have some empathy for yourself, and REMEMBER food satisfies only ONE need.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD

Most people will deny they have an unhealthy relationship with food. How we relate to food is the same way we relate to people. Thus, if your relationship with people is unhealthy, more than likely so is your relationship with food. For example, do you keep demanding that others meet needs that you KNOW they are not equipped to meet. So many people who struggle with weight issues fail to realize that they keep demanding food to meet their emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. If you are controlling with people, you will be controlling with food.

HEALTHY RESPONSES TO OUR NEEDS

Our needs may show up in our thoughts, but often they will manifest as bodily feelings. We must understand that it is the PHYSICAL sensation that we are trying to neutralize or numb with food. Or we are trying to distract ourselves from these feelings with food. This solution is temporary and has adverse side effects (weight gain and disease). Therefore, the first thing we must do is recognize that this physical sensation is created in response to our beliefs, thoughts, and thinking patterns.

1. When you believe you can’t, it often triggers a fight or flight response. Thus, you may feel a heaviness or a ball of dread in your chest or stomach. You may find your heart racing or your palms getting sweaty. This anxious or fearful feeling is a real response to FAULTY beliefs and thinking. Healthy actions include PAUSING, breathe to regain clarity, and self-talk grounded in truth and love.
2. When you believe you have no one, remember that you are never ALONE, for God is always with us. Take the time to talk to Him as a loving and trusted father and friend. Remember, food can only SATISFY physiological hunger and you can also call a trusted friend.
3. When you believe there is NOT ENOUGH, remember who is the ultimate source of all things and put your mind at ease knowing that He has promised to meet our daily needs. There is and will always be enough so there is no need to fear and create an unnecessary stress response in your body.
4. When you believe that you are not enough because you did not get a promotion, you made a mistake, or you failed to accomplish some goal, you create the same physiological response that causes you to reach for the same remedy you have used before [food].
   • KNOW that you can CHOOSE a different and more appropriate remedy.
   • STOP DENYING REALITY and ACCEPT that food has never worked and never will.