A Christmas Carb Carole-Traveling Through the Past, Present and Future

Whether you like the story of Scrooge and his journeys with the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future in the newest 3-D version, or you prefer the black and white presentation or something in between; everyone is familier with the tale.  The old crumengeon goes on a journey of exploration and an emotional roller coaster ride in one night that will leave him changed forever in the process. 

While not so dramatic, I have been on a similar journey of exploration the past few months about an issue that has long been part of my life and so intertwined with memories of Christmas that I always approach the holidays with a tiny bit of dread.  The issue is weight--getting it off, keeping it off, what to eat, when to eat, how to keep from eating--and the holiday scene only intensifies things. I can't honestly remember a Christmas or any other situation where I felt "thin" enough.  I look back at pictures of myself and think: "gee, you looked cute in that outfit", or "boy you were thin then".  At the time, well, as I said, I have never felt thin enough. Emotions aside, here are the facts, a good place to start.  And after years of fighting and fretting, I have come to terms with these facts.

I am almost 6 feet tall.  Most of my family is tall.  While is was a pain in the 4th grade, it's a joy now.  But being 6 feet tall, I can forget about weighting 103 lbs.  It's not going to happen.

I am on the flirty side of 50.  I don't want to wear a bikini anymore.  I don't want all the maintenance that goes into wearing skimpy clothes.  I am perfectly content to look decent in a one piece--as long as small children don't point and stare and old folks don't clutch their hearts and cry out in horror, well, I am cool.

I have been taking Prednisone for 25 years to control a serious illness.  And luckily, it does control it and I have been blessed with 25 years of a marvelous life I might not have had without this drug.  Unforunately, it is directly linked to weight gain, fluid retention, increase in appetite--well enough said--you get the drift. 

So, how to bring the facts of the situation and the fantasy in my head together into a manageable plan for the holidays?  Here's my plan, feel free to copy it if you like.

• Since carbs are a problem for me, I will look over the options, select my favorite, have a comfortable, reasonable amount and savor it without any guilt or remorse
• I will take small bites and put my fork down between bites
• I will chew, chew, chew before swallowing
• I will talk between bites of food--engage my family in conversation
• I will slow down the eating process so much that I am still on my first plate when seconds are being consumed
• I will thorougly enjoy and savor each meal
• I will remind myself repeatedly that food, while certainly a pleasure is FUEL, nothing more

And most of all, I will remind myself I am thin enough.  I need to lose a few pounds to help with my blood sugar issues and blood pressure issues--BUT right now in this minute at the weight I am right now--I am thin enough!

God bless you to have the best Christmas of all!

Sandy

the divacruiser is actually Sandy Wheeler, an indepenent contractor for Connie George Travel Associates.  Follow her adventures on her web site www.SandyWheelerTravel.com and on Twitter @thedivacruiser