Hey friend- if I know you like I think I do, I know there’s a small part of the holidays that makes you anxious. It stems from years of images and messages telling you what your body “should” be and what is “good” and what is “bad.”
I want you to enjoy the holidays. I want you to feel safe and connected. I don’t have any tips for how to avoid the awkward political topics or your great uncles bad jokes, but I do have a few tips for you on making peace with food.
span class="text_exposed_show">e following are 5 phrases to try to avoid- in doing so you free yourself but you also free others and set a more holistic example for the kids in your life and that-that is a gift.
1. “I’m going to be bad and have _____”
Friends, food is neutral and your food choices do not describe who you are as a person.
When we say this, we are implying that food is a cause of shame and worthy of judgement.
3. “Calories don’t count on the holidays”
This phrase reinforces a hyper focus on calories. Calories are a unit of measuring energy, not a magic number.
4. “I’ll just do an extra workout at the gym”
Movement is important. Exercise is something to encourage in ourselves and lie children. However, this statement frames exercise as a way to “earn” food or “punish” ourselves for the food we eat. Exercise is not a punishment.
5. “I’m going to hate myself tomorrow”
You would never want your kids to hate themselves for any choices they make. It’s not okay for use to sue this language around our own food choices.
What other phrases are you working to avoid, during the holiday and always?
Will you join me, friend, in sharing more laughter and less self-criticism?
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