Holiday Splurging

Splurging. I could write a book about it. I'm the queen of splurge! In the past, I could always find a reason to eat something I know I shouldn't. Everything from a vacation in a far off land to catching green lights all the way home; all were fodder for celebration.

I've gotten a little better over the years since beginning my low carb woe. I'm not perfect, by any means, but I have made much progress. These days, I try to limit my splurges to truly worthy occasions rather than impulse buys at the fresh, hot bread rack.

Of course, talk of this subject also calls attention to the specific term. Do you call it splurging or cheating? Cheating or splurging? And what is the real difference? 

In my opinion, and I know there are those who will disagree, there IS a significant difference. Cheating is something you do when it was NOT planned, NOT thought out, and NOT part of your "schedule" so to speak. Splurging, on the other hand, is something that IS planned, IS thought out, and IS part of your schedule. A birthday, an anniversary, a special vacation or Christmas, a splurge is a joyous thing, not an event to be ashamed of with tail tucked between ones legs. It is a celebration, not a cheat.

Can one splurge too much? You better believe it! And, I'm afraid, I've done it way too many times. It's not a good thing to splurge too often because it can lead to out of control behavior, weight gain and really bad skin! However, done right, a special event splurge can be just what the doctor ordered and a positive progression towards making this woe a true lifestyle.

I've had many UNsuccessful splurges but what's outlined below is an example of the "game plan" I followed while being more successful.

1. Have a defined time period that you'll be "off plan" and don't feel guilty about it. Guilt is for when you impulsively grab a pack of Twinkies while standing in line at Wal-Mart and eat them while walking out to your car and then scream at yourself five minutes later..."Why did I DO that?!" That's where guilt comes in. Not for a happy, celebratory day when you've planned to indulge. 
2. Stick to your plan! Do not change your plan. Don't add days, don't subtract days, don't stand days on their head. Just leave the days you selected alone and stick to them. Tell yourself - "This is what I've scheduled for myself and this is what I'm going to do." If you've decided to splurge on Christmas only and no other days, go for it. If you've decided Christmas day and New Years weekend, then do that. If it's a two week vacation, do that. Just stick to your plan.
3. Make a chart or calendar to help you visualize the strategy. Put a bright highlighted line around the days you're going to splurge and write SPLURGE in bold letters. Then, on the day you've assigned yourself to get back on the plan, write BACK ON PLAN in bold letters with a smiley face. Make it a positive experience not a negative one. YOU are in control and YOU tell yourself what to do, no one else. Not your dog, not your kids, not your spouse, not your body. YOU tell YOU what to do.
4. As soon as you're back on plan, pick another splurge day 2, 3 or 4 months down the line. A birthday or anniversary or graduation. Something you can look forward to where you'll have a special treat. This will help you feel good about getting back on plan because you'll have something to look forward to.
5. Remind yourself every day that you FEEL so much better when you low carb. Remind yourself every day that low carb eating is GOOD eating. Remember that you can actually eat things like beef tenderloin with blue cheese sauce, bacon wrapped scallops, and broccoli with cheese sauce as a normal part of your woe. How many people on a "lifestyle diet" can say that, eh?

For those who choose not to splurge, more power to ya! I wish I could place myself in that category but alas, I will not. I enjoy food too much.

While it is true that I may lose a battle now and then, I KNOW I will win the war.

Happy New Year to the Greatest Board on the Net!