In my last two posts I talked about cultivating awareness and using gentle questioning to consider automatic behaviors. 

Today I want to talk about belief. 

I will start by sharing a personal story. For the past 15+ years Tom and I have gone on a tropical vacation for the winter holidays. Traditionally I spent the months before vacation exercising ferociously and severely restricting my diet so that I could be "bikini" ready. I repeated this behavior year after year.

Anyone feeling a twinge of holiday anxiety? I am! 

Last week I recommended taking on the role of an observer, to pay attention to behavioral patterns and automatic responses regarding holiday treats. 

I try to practice what I preach. As a result I've noticed a steady increase in my anxiety levels and a corresponding desire to create and indulge in paleo/keto treats.

I overheard a conversation earlier this week: a woman was lamenting that she had "totally overdone it" over the holiday weekend. She felt she'd gone crazy at the dessert table and now she was off the rails, devouring every sugary item in sight.

My coworker, a very gracious hostess, requested my menu input for our annual holiday party.

She said, "I know there are a handful of you on that restrictive diet, and I don't know how to prepare for that!"

I was taken aback! I was on a restrictive diet? This was news to me.