I did it again!

Another family weekend where I ate like a maniac and drank like a sailor!

I thought I had this one figured out after the ski trip last February. Remember, the one where I had decided not to let peer pressure dictate my food choices?

The one where I was going to separate love from the menu? The one where I was going to dare to be different?

I went prepared for this latest outing – a family gathering to celebrate my mother’s 85^th birthday. We numbered 17, a great big clan of fun and laughter.

The Challenge: Healthy Eating at Family Get-Togethers

I brought my green smoothie mixings, lots of fruit and nuts for snacking, plenty of salad fixings, too.

I brought it all back home with me, too, because I ate chocolate chip pancakes and baked ziti and Doritos.

Need I go on? It was a weekend of complete surrender, starting with Happy Hour Friday afternoon and continuing straight through to lunch on Sunday.

So what was the common denominator between these two weekends?

Did I say Happy Hour on Friday? Exactly; way too much alcohol.

For me, all supportive food choices go out the window after two cocktails.

And exercise? Who can do that when you’re hung over? Not me.

My 3 Options to Address Unhealthy Habits With Family

So, once again, I am searching for the learning. Seems to me I have several choices:

1 Don’t attend family gatherings

No, that’s too harsh. I’m not missing out on the fun!

2 Don’t drink during family outings

Or, at least, restrict it to an amount that won’t turn me into a chocolate junkie – hmm, I suppose I could give this one a try but my historical lack of abstinence doesn’t predict a likely adherence.

3 Try my best

…To temper the alcohol and make good choices when and where I can and give the rest up as enjoying life, my loved ones and myself.

I’m picking door number three.

My Journey Towards Health & Self Acceptance

I have learned to be happy with myself and my ongoing work toward health, both physical and emotional.

I’ve learned that self-love involves a little forgiveness. Food deprivation, failure and then guilt is toxic; I’ve lived with it all of my adult life.

Letting go of that cycle has been life-altering for me, and I will be forever grateful for that accomplishment – no matter what my body size is.

I am free of the negativity that lived with me from waking to bedtime. Nope, no more. If I go away once or twice a year and go food-crazy, so be it.