I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…
You deserve to eat today.
You don’t have to “earn” it.
You don’t need to work extra hard to “burn it off.”
You don’t have to choose healthy versions of your favorites if you don’t want to.
You don’t have to control what you eat.
You don’t have to make rules for yourself and deny anything.
You don’t need to “manage” your food intake.
I say this because this is the first holiday season that I can remember where I am going to do this, too. I’m going to eat what I want because I my body needs food to live. I’m not going to restrict before so I can feel better about eating later, or force myself to work out harder this week to compensate. I’m going to listen to my body and quiet my brain that had told me for years that I am less if I care more about my mental health than the shape of my body. I am showing up for myself, not just the size of my jeans and what my physical self looks like.
I am showing up for ME, and I deserve to enjoy these days without anxiety and worry and rigidness and over control. I believe you do, too.
Let’s let go of the limiting beliefs that you are what you eat, and willpower and control are better than happiness, and embrace being present and grateful for what we have in front of us. Which is delicious green bean casserole, obviously. 🤗
