I am hanging on to the wagon tightly!!

With the holidays around the corner I have taken the time this year to plan early so that I may continue to stay on track with my healthy goals. I have now lost 22.8 lbs and earned my 10% key chain at WW, a very meaningful milestone for me. Therefore, I felt it was of utmost important to take the time to put in place various strategies to avoid the "going off the wagon", that has happened every year, only to climb back on plumper, around January 2.  By the way, the wagon is not just filled with drinkers, it is filled with many varied compulsions that people may need to overcome. This year we are having a boat load of people for the holidays. I love all the noise, commotion and laughter in the walls. Several years ago I learnt a difficult lesson at Christmas, I chose to do everything myself. I LOVE to cook and so in my sometimes "perfectionist" state I felt like I could do everything a bit better myself. Wow, where did that huge bit of pride come from, not pretty! I even did most of the clean up, saying to all offers, "don't worry I will take care of it". Well, I ended up exhausted and VERY grouchy. If you know me, grouchy is not my nature in the least. In fact, it frightened me, I realized I didn't ever want to feel grouchy around the holidays EVER again. SO this year I have designated meals and dishes to family members, this way I can be a happy camper and be "present" with my family. It will be a joint effort, together. I have also decided I will walk/jog around the lake each day, dragging whoever wants to come with me out of bed. The fresh air with exercise will provide much needed solace. My new word for walk/jog is now "rocking" so each day I will rock around the lake. As I cook, I am going to place cut up vegetables on the counter with hummus, so I can continue stay satisfied as I cook. Oh Lordy, there have been times I have cooked and ate a meal or more before I have even sat down, literally. This year I will be cognisant of my surroundings. I will take care of myself, prepare each day by waking early, spend quiet moments with just "me", rock around the lake and then "be there" for family. FOOD is not the end all, it is just a part of many parts of celebrating being together. Merry Christmas to all, may you all find peace and solace by being aware, alive and appreciating each person around your table.