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Hi Annie,

It sounds like you have a plan and are working it. I think that is the real 'key' to success. 

Okay, now we all know that official start of the food laden holiday season is upon us as we approach Halloween. How are you handling the temptations that come with the inevitable bowls and goody bags brimming with goodies calling to us?

I have a list of things I'm doing to help me make sure to enjoy the holiday without running me off the road so that I can sustain my journey.

First, I'm starting each day with one item from each of the following buckets that I want to focus: health, quality of life, and appearance. Each of these things is just one of the many reasons I want to stay on track, but making the conscious effort to articulate these things helps make them more tangible for me and helps me focus on WHAT I want to do and WHY I want to do it. I then try to think of these things before I put anything in my mouth and determine if what I'm about to eat is going to help me fulfill these goals or short-change me.

Next, I've decided not to bring candy/contraband into the house until a few days before the holiday and have made sure to get things for the neighborhood kids that, to be honest, I don't really like. I'm not much of one for sweet tarts, gummy bears, etc. The kids will enjoy, but it won't be nearly as hard for me to resist as if I had a dish full of dark chocolates calling to me.

Finally, speaking of dark chocolates. I am able to eat it without getting sick, I opt to go get a piece of Godiva... that's just because See's isn't available on the east coast... but what I'm saying is I get a piece of REALLY GOOD dark chocolate and savor it. Really enjoy it. This allows me to not feel deprived, but not have a bunch stuff in the house that could undermine my goals of living a healthier, fuller life... and still fit into my closet of size 4/6 clothes ;-). Now that I'm at goal and maintaining my weight, it's important to have some balance. Enjoying some chocolate is fine, but I also need to know my limitations and not put myself in harms way, which is why I don't keep bags of Dove chocolates in the house as I did before.

Please share any tips to navigate what can be a SCARY side of Halloween so that it's not a frightful journey.

Annie,

I'm sure that this young woman appreciates the support, information and time you have given her. I hope that Voc Rehab will be able to help her find an avenue that will allow her to have the surgery. 

I'm glad to hear that you are reaping the benefits of this surgery in so many ways. The woman I met 4 years ago not only wouldn't have been able to clean the windows and plant the mums, but she wouldn't have ventured out to talk to a perfect stranger about such an intimate issue. 

Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey,

I, like many of us, tend to be very harsh with myself about how I look or how I'm 'doing.' I was leading a support group meeting this weekend and told them that I wish that we could be as compassionate and supportive of ourselves as we are with others. This afternoon as I was walking down my hallway, I saw the Norman Rockwell 'Do Unto Others as you would have them do  unto you.' While I hold steadfast that notion, I also think that we can and should turn it around, so that we are as kind, gentle, and supportive to ourselves as we are to our friends, families, neighbors, and even strangers. I think that as we are aware of the tasks at hand necessary to support our goals for good health, quality of life and appearance, we also need to be compassionate with ourselves, and give credit where credit is due. 

So, come on, go ahead, be kind to yourself and give yourself credit for what you have done!