Weighing yourself this time of year always seems like a bad idea. Especially when you’ve already gotten a head start on the Christmas festivities…

My friend KJ took me out to dinner to celebrate me finishing all of my graduate courses leading to student teaching. It was a much needed girls night out that included pecan crusted rainbow trout, sautéed spinach and butternut squash ravioli with sage butter sauce… nom nom nom.

I think we all know I’m not currently in weight loss mode, because quite frankly I don’t want to make the sacrifices it would take to lose weight right now. For me it’s all about balance. I want to eat Christmas cookies and snuggle up with a hot chocolate while we watch Christmas movies.  I don’t want to spend my time with my family, who have traveled so far to see me, obsessing over food shame. I just want to participate and enjoy.

That being said, you won’t find me binge eating cookies in my closet while nobody is looking. There no need to get all gross about it. My goal during the holidays was to not gain 20 pounds in the name of Christmas cheer. There does come a point when it gets ridiculous.

Even though I feel this way I still didn’t want to weigh myself when I woke up. I feel fluffier since I haven’t been to the gym in a while. However, when I weighed myself it said 186.6. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

My family comes into town this Sunday and I’m so excited to host Christmas this year! I’ve already loaded up on silly string with the full intentions of making my nephew gag on purpose while videoing it because it makes me laugh. So. Hard. (I really am a good aunt… I promise. Click on the gag link for the full story.)

I’m just so excited! Not only am I excited for all of the fun things I plan on doing with my family but I can’t wait to for the new year upon us. I feel like I’ve accomplished everything I had set out last year when I first started this blog. I’m healthy again, I fit in my clothes, my smile shines from deep within and I’m back to that place where I like who I am.

In other words… I would totally hang out with myself 😉

Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t about the end result of a weight loss program. It’s about continuing the journey for the long haul. This journey leads to self acceptance and along with that self acceptance comes the desire to better yourself, not because you feel like you aren’t good enough, but simply because you want to grow as a person and see who you are capable of becoming. It turns out… the possibilities are endless.

Hope you guys have a great weekend! I’ll probably check in with you guys again on Sunday before the madness begins.