It’s birthday season in Maine. I was there for the cake.

My family in Maine jokes that January to May is the birthday season in the Dunbar house, with cakes making frequent appearances throughout the month. There is a family birthday at my parent’s house biweekly. During my visit to Maine at the end of January and the beginning of February, I found myself celebrating two birthdays.

My sister has a planned approach to birthday season. Knowing my mom’s cake is irresistible, she opts to eat nothing throughout the day prior to a birthday dinner- so she can fully enjoy it.

I did not have a plan.

I happily contributed to reducing leftover frosting and generously helped myself to slices of both the yellow and chocolate cakes. The following day, I shamelessly paired another slice with my morning coffee. I had given myself the green light to enjoy the festivities, reasoning that I could compensate for it later, when I returned home. After all, I was at my mom's.

This lenient attitude extended beyond birthdays, encompassing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even a work trip in January. Although I acknowledged that my carefree, sugar-filled eating might catch up with me, I remained optimistic, planning to address it after a few pending stressors. It all seemed reasonable in my head.

During an early morning, icy hike to the Beach Hill Fire Tower, I casually mentioned to a friend my post-holiday weight gain and the need for a plan to shed it. Her response served as a wake-up call. "Christmas was quite a while ago, don't you think?" she laughed. I was pulled up short. I tried on her perspective. Christmas was seven weeks ago, and I was just considering I needed to do something. She was right and I felt a little embarrassed.

It made me realize that postponing healthy eating and self-care was a flawed approach. There's never a perfect time and waiting for one is futile. You have to start, regardless of the temptations and challenges that life throws your way.

Instead of postponing health and fitness goals for a more convenient time, it's crucial to face the reality that there will always be celebrations, holidays, and unexpected events. Rather than living in anticipation of an ideal moment to start a diet, establishing consistent and flexible rules that work in various situations is key.

Remember, there's no perfect time to start – just start now and adapt along the way.

Don’t quit.

Christmas was a long time ago.

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I've learned that taking charge of my health requires a proactive approach, especially during tempting seasons like birthdays and holidays. But other times too. It’s hard to eat right on trips, when house guests arrive, at dinner parties, etc.

When I’m doing really well with my eating plan, I use these tips to resist temptation and stay on track:

1. Portion Control: Cut cakes into portions matching the number of attendees to avoid tempting leftovers.

2. Hydration: Drink extra water during events to distinguish between thirst and hunger, helping to stay full.

3. Eat Ahead: Have a healthy, filling meal before the event and set rules for consuming party treats.

4. Avoid Excessive Alcohol: Moderation in alcoholic drinks helps control calorie intake and makes resisting temptation easier.

5. Socialize Away from Food: Engaging in conversations away from the food table minimizes mindless snacking.

6. Bring a Healthy Dish: Contributing a nutritious dish to potlucks provides a healthier alternative.

7. Allow Occasional Treats: It's acceptable to indulge occasionally but be mindful of the frequency and quantity.

8. Accountability Partner: Sharing health goals with a friend or family member provides mutual support during celebrations.

Starting tomorrow, I’m headed out of town for work training. I plan to use these tips. I hope I can eat on the road while staying committed to my health goals. I’m going to keep my water bottle filled, fruit and nuts in my purse. It's all about finding a balance that allows both enjoyment and control.

Here's to not compromising on well-being even as we make our way through celebrations and the daily temptations of our busy, distracting lives.