Christmas Compassion - The Garden Eatery

Christmas Compassion

‘People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and New Year, but they really should focus on what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.’ Jim Kwik

Of course our diet and lifestyle choices will alter at this time of year; it’s all part of the festive fun! Before slipping into the mindset of punishment or guilt, try to remember that the potential change in choices has more than likely been part of a celebration or well deserved rest, which we have earned more than ever this year!

There is more to a healthy lifestyle than solely what we eat; we need to consider our social, emotional and mental health too. There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods. Food should not be associated with guilt or shame but enjoyed in the moment; whether you’re opening that box of mince pies or enjoying a mulled wine on a Zoom call with friends. While I wholly encourage a healthy diet and lifestyle, life happens! Lifestyle factors and celebrations should always be considered.

Just a gentle reminder that because this year has been anything but normal, chances are our diet, lifestyle, mood and motivation won’t have been normal either. It’s okay for your healthy routines and choices to take a back seat until you feel ready for them again – it’s your body tuning in to its individual needs and honouring them.

Removing the pressure to eat in a certain way over the holidays, and taking a more balanced approach, could give us more of a chance to make intuitive choices, helping us to normalise food and enjoy it for what it is, rather than seeing it as a particular ‘macro’/number.

After a long and challenging year, try to focus on the below if you feel the unnecessary guilt or pressure start to creep in:

♥ Give yourself permission to eat foods that you enjoy with no guilt

♥ Respect your food decisions even if they are different from the norm

♥ Be gentle and compassionate with yourself

♥ Honour and feel your feelings

♥ Practice gratitude for the delicious food we are so lucky to have access to

♥ Congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come this year

Feel content in the knowledge that balancing your plate with nutritious foods most of the time, could help you to feel good, compared to if you consistently eat highly processed, fast food. However that isn’t to say we shouldn’t enjoy these foods occasionally, as it is a lot of fun!  The quote above is a reminder that the Christmas holidays is only a short period of time, and that it’s our long term, more consistent diet and lifestyle choices which will have an impact overall.

Trust and be kind to your body, enjoy the rest of the festive break and remember, a healthy lifestyle is all about balance.

Thinking of all of those who can’t be with their loved ones this Christmas.

Holistic Health Coach - Anna Whyte 
The ‘Wellness with Anna’ philosophy focuses on taking a more balanced and holistic approach to health. Often, the tools needed to make a lasting change are already in your toolbox. I offer client led guidance in order to support the progress of an individual working to meet their personal wellness goals. I will not diagnose, treat or take responsibility for bringing about wellness change, but direct, listen and support development.
We work together on a journey to make health a main priority, both physically and mentally.

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