Temptation and Redemption

     “Christmas is coming; the goose is getting fat.”  I don’t know about the goose, but I’m getting fat.  Homemade temptations that only appear during the holiday season are stronger than my will power.  The fantasy image of wearing a sexy dress on New Year’s Eve is eclipsed by the real smells of Christmas goodies.

     Since Thanksgiving, I’ve been making cookies, breads, pies, and cakes.  No, I’m not working on an apprenticeship as a baker.  My family has a tradition of giving homemade food items as Christmas gifts.  Decorated sugar cookies, pumpkin breads and pies, fudge with and without nuts, peanut brittle, and cocoa mixes fill the decorated tins and containers we give to family and friends.  No self-respecting baker can serve an item that has not passed stringent taste testing.  Thus each day finds us sampling our work with cold glasses of milk.  It is this dedication to quality that is responsible for the extra pounds I now wear. 

     At least, I know that my New Year’s resolution will be to lose weight.  It will be easy to remember.  I make the same resolution every year.  Generally, I start great.  A sensible diet, an ample supply of the appropriate foodstuffs required to follow the diet, and even an exercise video to guide me through the contortions that promise to result in weight loss.  Then Valentine’s Day arrives in February and the persuasiveness of chocolate convinces my willpower to take a vacation.

     Once I stumble while dieting, I do not pick myself up and continue on the straight and narrow path to the land of thin.  I’m not sure if the guilt is defeating me, or if I am looking for an excuse, any excuse allowing me to stop regulating what I put in my mouth.  Perhaps, I can avoid the guilt if I build a cheating loophole into my diet and allow myself a small portion of something I crave once in a while.  A reward system for sticking to the diet can include both food and non-edible items. 

     There are many ways a woman can pamper herself. Salon treatments including manicures, pedicures, even a shampoo performed by someone who delivers a soothing scalp massage can be an indulgence.  Of course as I lose weight, I must buy new clothes that will fit.  For a reward, I can go beyond the need of covering my nakedness by adding colorful accessories that are not a necessity, but another indulgence.  Hmm. I’m starting to like this idea. 

     OK, now I am making this official.  In 2013, I resolve to lose weight.  I am not going to stipulate a specific amount, but rather, I will promise to follow a reasonable diet that will result in realistic weight loss over the whole year.  Focusing on the positive when I succeed will be my re-enforcement to accomplish my goal rather than surrendering due to guilt. When I need incentive to continue changing my eating habits, I will allow myself a non-edible indulgence that will make me feel good about myself. 

     Excuse me, I must check the cookies in the oven.  It is a new recipe and I have a glass of milk ready to help with the quality inspection.