Most holiday seasons I am able to control the battle of the bulge. However, this holiday season even with my expertise in emotional weight gain, I just don’t feel like being my normal well disciplined emotionally managed self. I don’t know about you but this year I would like to run through a minefield of potatoes, pizza, chocolate, bread, pasta, pie, butter, muffins, quesadillas, just anything and everything with total reckless abandon. Why? Because I am human, a woman who is still a child at heart, who doesn’t want to think about health, weight gain and loss, fitting into my jeans, portion control, water, sugar, salt, am I still attractive and who’s watching me and on and on.

Sometimes I, like you, want what I want. Instead of trying to be perfect with holiday treats and dinner, I have allowed myself to have the traditional 8 pound average weight gain. Since I will be eating many of my favorite comfort foods I will maintain my workouts. If I don’t, my holiday weight gain will be twice as much, the weight will be harder to lose and it will be incredibly difficult to get back to the gym.

Rather than depriving myself while secretly envying my follow eaters, I will give myself permission with a limit. This will limit binge eating, secret snack eating and feeling left out and depressed as I watch everyone eating at holiday parties, dinners, and basketball and football games.

Holidays are a tough time for all or nothing thinking and dieting. Try to find a balance between managing your weight gain and not using it as an Excuse to overindulge. My rule is that I don’t try to eat every cake, lasagna or ham offered to me but I can try one or two and feel good about it.

Make it an Excuse Free Holiday! Dr. Leslie Seppinni