Are you making room for your favorite holiday foods?

Years ago, I remember sitting in a Weight Watchers meeting as the leader passed around a clipboard. 

She asked us to sign a pledge that we wouldn’t eat any Halloween candy for the month of October. 

Of course, I signed my name...I mean, what else would I do in the middle of a weight loss meeting? 

And then I proceeded to quickly break that promise. 

It was just another example of making a promise that I wouldn’t keep in the name of weight loss.

While the idea of accountability might have worked for some, it left me focused on what I couldn’t have.

And it’s why I’ve always rebelled when diet programs make some foods good and others bad. 

I prefer to focus on whether I’m hungry and if the food on my plate will fuel me. Once that’s taken care of...there’s definitely room for some pleasure from my food.

One of the things I love since I’ve stopped my struggle to lose weight is that I don’t dread the holidays.

Sure -- parts of the holidays will feel busy and there will be moments of stress hosting family and friends or shopping for gifts. 

But as far as eating goes, I’m not feeling the dread of having to choose between yummy holiday foods or not because I know I can make room for what I really want. 

And since the way I think about Halloween candy is different, my actions are, too. 

I’ll plan a few pieces of my favorite candy on Halloween Day -- and enjoy them. 

I’ll also plan a few pieces a day for a few days after Halloween, and then...that’ll be enough for a while.

This approach leaves room for my favorites...and not feeling like I have to watch every bite. 

I’ve learned there’s power in permission.

Because I’ve given myself flexibility and not made it about ONE day -- I won’t be telling myself that Halloween is “my one chance” to eat candy.

When we allow ourselves to truly enjoy food and experiences, we don’t need to sneak eat or feel like we didn’t get enough.

To me, this plan feels doable -- and I’ll take that over willpowering my way through a Halloween pledge any day. 

This is part of the approach I’ll share in my Nourished Mind + Body 3-month coaching group (that starts Nov. 6).

We won’t be depriving ourselves through the holidays. 

Instead, we’ll learn to include the food we love and enjoy every bite. 

Join us to learn how to have a better relationship with food and with your body — and to not need another diet come Jan. 1.