I didn’t need to be. I ate on Christmas day, but I didn’t overeat. I ate dessert too – how could you not!  There were two really exciting differences in my attitude and behaviour though this year: 1. I didn’t feel I needed to sample all the desserts at once. I knew when I had enough and I was able to stop. And probably the more exciting: 2. I didn’t feel guilty or ashamed or like I had to ‘hide’ what I was eating for dessert. I ate it and I enjoyed it! That has continued to be a significant, life altering difference: I don’t feel like I need to hide what I’m eating or be ashamed about it. I can eat dessert or treats and be ok about it. Emerging with this new attitude is a new behaviour: I can eat treats or dessert and because I have given myself permission to do this without shame, I’m beginning to trust myself. I trust myself to say ‘no’ when I don’t want the dessert and to stop when I’ve had enough. I am still amazed at this new way of being. I’m not ‘sneaking’ sweet treats or extra helpings – because I don’t need to! If I want the sweet treat, I can eat it. And guess what? I don’t often want it! I noticed that in the beginning whilst I felt almost immediately that I had a new attitude to food and eating – my body didn’t change immediately. Now, as someone who likes quick results and has been dieting on and off over many years this was a trigger for old thinking. I began to think ‘this isn’t working’ ‘it’s another diet I’ve tried and failed, will I ever get there?’  I stepped up listening to my recording and really focused on the visualising part of that – the shrinking stomach and feeling good in clothes that are smaller. I’m pleased to say that my clothes are looser! I can feel it and see it. This is my new normal and I’m so happy about that. This will take time to embed habits and shed the weight that I’ve accumulated over many years. But I do believe I’ll get there and that I have a powerful tool to help me. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to experience this with you. KB*