This entry was posted on Friday, November 30th, 2007 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Overcoming Addictions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Ah, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. All good sense seems to slip out the window. How many times have you seen fudge at a 4th of July picnic? How many times does hard alcohol fit into a dinner? Yep, it’s the season where there’s permission to drink, eat, and spend ourselves to death. What decisions have you made this year regarding your very-own-unique-addicitions?
1. Forwarned is forearmed: Know that the events you attend, or the one’s you host, might have substances that undermine your “resolutions.”
2. Eat before attending such events. Hunger can certainly undermine the best efforts in the world.
3. Bring your own “treats” : special waters, vegetable trays, “safe foods and drinks.” Believe me there will be people who are appreciative.
4. Remember the lecture we give children about “peer pressure.” Do your own thing, and if your thing is abstaining from sugar, alcohol, nicotine, DO IT !
5. Don’t delude yourself. It will not be easier to get back on tract January 1. Remember you are a puff away from a pack a day, a drink away from a drunk, and a few pieces of fudge away from that “holiday weight gain.” I always use the holidays as a way to challenge the “assumptions.” I will NOT give in to the pressures of the culture, I will not gain those typical 8 pounds, I will not allow the calendar to dictate my behavior.Challenge…maintain your resolve ! Think how holy you will feel January 1, 2008 !!
Stay brave
read comments (2)
December 1st, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I think it is important to always have access to someone that supports you and your efforts.. especially during the holidays.
Good suggestions too.
December 1st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
LS,
Absolutely. What a great point.
Having an accountibility partner is a great idea. I know some of the research on habit change talks about the importance of making that statement of commitment to a friend, or a support community, knowing that that person will be there to go thru it with you.
Yes !