Finding Balance During the Holidays: Cookies, Celebration, and a Healthier Me
The holidays are here, which means one thing for certain: I’m eating Christmas cookies. A lot of them. And honestly? That’s exactly how I want it.
For years, the holiday season was a time I approached with hesitation. Food everywhere, traditions built around big meals, and the pressure to somehow “stay perfect” in the middle of it all. But this year is different. This year, I’m navigating it from a place of confidence, clarity, and the kind of balance that feels real, not restrictive.
I’ve lost nearly 200 pounds, something I’m incredibly proud of, but that doesn’t mean I have to live in fear of holiday food or pretend that I don’t want to enjoy the same treats as everyone else. I’ve made the choice to pause my GLP-1 medication during the holidays so I can fully enjoy the flavors, the feasts, and the traditions that mean so much to me.
But stepping away from the shot temporarily doesn’t mean stepping away from my goals.
Indulgence Isn’t the Opposite of Discipline
Here’s what I’ve learned:
You can eat cookies and still care about your health.
You can enjoy Christmas dinner and still honor your journey.
Indulgence doesn’t erase discipline, and discipline doesn’t cancel joy.
Some days I’m absolutely piling my plate high at the family table. Other days I’m craving a giant salad because my body is asking for something light and fresh. Both days count. Both choices belong. Both are valid.
I Haven’t Come This Far to Disconnect From Myself
The weight I’ve lost, almost 200 pounds, didn’t disappear because I followed rigid, punishing rules. It happened because I showed up for myself over and over again. It happened because I learned to listen to my body instead of fighting with it.
And right now, my body wants celebration, connection, movement, and yes… Christmas cookies.
So I’m honoring all of that.
I’m still hitting the gym.
I’m still mindful of my habits.
I’m still the person who worked so hard for this transformation.
I’m just also the person who loves holiday baking and refuses to miss out on that joy.
This Season, I Choose Balance
Not perfection.
Not deprivation.
Not guilt.
Just balance. A happy and healthy balance that lets me enjoy this season fully while still taking care of myself.
This is where I am right now, living in the middle space, the sustainable space, the place where life and health actually get to coexist. And honestly, it feels pretty great.
