@HANLIE – My first advice is not to stress – what is done is done. It is good that you felt better than previous years in how and what you ate and that is progress in itself.

Sometimes it is hard to change everything drastically, especially if we have been used to or conditioned to a certain type of eating for most of our lives. That is why there is nothing wrong with progress in steps.

The fact that you did not feel as well tells you a very powerful message – your body does not want any more “junk” in it or be overworked, but your mind still has some old conditioning and that is where and why you came to the cross roads you did.

The good news is, is that as you stick to a healthy lifestyle, the body will send more powerful messages more and more that will cause a paradigm shift in your mind, where you will eventually only give your body what it really needs and thus feel good about all your eating choices.

And you seemed to be right on top of things with the extra fiber and water!

@TOM – I completely understand your stance Tom about not taking points 2 – 4 as hard, as as you say, this is how our society is used to operate and it can be hard for people to give up old paradigms, especially when it seems, “everyone else is doing it”. For me though, this advice is only natural and mandatory if one wants optimal health.

Remember my stance in health is not to give people advice to get god average health, but to optimize people’s bodies for optimal health and if that is appealing to one, then what seem like drastic and perhaps “harsh” steps are necessary.

Your comment also addressed another very important point and that is what we, or our society choose to call “treats”. My definition of a treat is anything that your body benefits from without any negative effects.

I am sure you can see that if we look at a treat that way it quickly rules out the sweets and alcohol and even many animal products.

You are right when you say that moderation will limit the damage done to your body, but again my paradigm is not to do any damage at all.

It is in the end all about how much are we willing to do to have perfect health and not one way is “right” or “wrong” – just a very serious personal decision.

@SAGAMEEM – Thank you and yes you are right, special occasions may come and go, but our health is ours for the whole time we are here and it really should be taken care of properly always.

@ANNA – Thank you so much Anna and wishing you a healthy and happy New Year as well, also to your entire family!!!

Watch up what we eat, to enjoy our life happily!

Yes alcohol and sugar are harmful to our bodies. Yes I agree we should not feel like we NEED these substances but sadly that is the way a lot of people have been conditioned. I have learned to eat a much healthier diet this year but that does not mean I suddenly no longer enjoy alcohol or sugar. I know the dangers and so limit my intake of these substances. However, Christmas day is one time I treat myself and consume them in moderation. I make sure that I do not overindulge and I do eat a lot more healthily than I did a few Christmases ago but I still allow myself to have two or three alcoholic drinks, a few pieces of chocolate and perhaps a slice of cake.

My opinion is that if you can enjoy these treats in moderation and get back into a healthy eating/regular exercise routine in the days following Christmas the damage you do to your body will be limited.

Although I wasn’t as bad as previous years, I was nowhere near good and I feel totally stuperous and uncomfortable today. I really thought that I was going to have a gallbladder attack last night!

Plan of action: lots of water and lots of fiber in the form of fruit and leafy greens. I left all the leftovers at my mother-in-law’s house, so there is nothing here to divert us! We’re back in business!