As I contemplated what to write about this week, I decided to forgo the usual, humdrum article on 'Surviving the Holidays'. You know-the stock article of well meaning tips like 'eating before the party, staying hydrated, being choosy with food at parties, bringing your own healthy snacks'...yadda yadda yadda.

Let's face it. We've all heard these recommendations hundreds of times before, and YES, in theory they can work. But the reality is that most of us-either at the office Christmas party, or like me on a random Sunday (two Sundays ago, to be exact)-are going to have a setback during the holidays.

We all know the feeling-that dreaded 'food hangover'. UGH. Bloated, irritable, lethargic, and as hungry as a horse (even though you just ate like a cow!). I can definitely relate given my total food meltdown a few weeks ago.

Here's the kicker.

The night before my food fest, I attended a party with more food and sweet treats than Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory-and I didn't touch a thing. I followed all the practices that I 'preach' and I managed to escape unscathed. VICTORY!

Yeah right.

Something came over me the next morning. I woke up STARVING. Hey, I'm pregnant, so that's got to count for something. So, continuing with the pregnancy excuse, I had an INVOLUNTARY PREGNANCY REACTION in which my car veered into the McDonald's drive through for a happy meal AND soft serve. Then when I got home I ate chocolate...just for good measure.

And ya know what? It felt so good--at the time.

When I woke up from my blackout (I'm claiming that I literally had no idea what I was doing) I was sick and tired (literally) to say the least. Since I am HIGHLY INTOLERANT of wheat, sugar, yeast, soy, and most processed foods, I knew I was in for days of torture.

My old tendency would have been to verbally beat the living crap out of myself. I would have tried to eat like a rabbit for the next several days (never worked), or worked out like I was training for the Iron Man triathlon to 'punish myself' for my indiscretions.

But that was the old me. And I was fighting a losing battle every single time I tried this tactic. Really, it just made me more frustrated, down, and actually encouraged me to want to keep eating the holiday cookie tin and a chocolate galore-the exact behavior that made me sick in the first place.

I have found that my clients do this exact same thing. They have mini-setbacks, slight weight gains or a night of indulgence over the holidays, and suddenly they are beating themselves up to the point that it actually ruins their day or week!

I teach my clients what I have learned through my own struggles--that it's time to change the pattern. If I've had a setback--during the holidays or otherwise--I no longer wallow in my food-drunken haze. In fact, I believe food indulgences (especially during this festive season) are actually OKAY. (Yep, you heard me right!).

More importantly, I have found another way to recover from the occasional slip-up. I decided years ago that when I have setbacks I have to simply drop the pity party, and instead MOVE FORWARD. No guilt, no verbal abuse. No use crying over spilled milk-right?

And so I ask you...Whether your setback is with food, alcohol, or even just overloading your schedule and life this holiday season---

HOW WILL YOU RECOVER?

I have some suggestions, of course! Check out the article, "4 Steps for Sidestepping Holiday Setbacks" in the archive below. And have a happy, healthy holiday season. 'See you' next year!

Yours in Good Health,

Melissa Fox
Founder, St. Louis Health Coaching