Excuses 101: Getting Through the Holidays on Your Terms

What’s the Big Deal?

First off, why do you need to worry so much about excuses now more than ever? Well, the rest of the year may present challenges, but those challenges can grow at this time of year. You may be under a lot of pressure from friends and family to do unhealthy things during the holidays. You will not only be offered or served weight loss-unfriendly fare, but probably also feel pressure to give up healthy habits, such as working out or taking relaxation time, in favor of socializing or cleaning the house. The consequences can include:

• Eating too much and gaining weight.
• Skipping workouts and feeling sluggish.
• Overcommitting, feeling stressed, and gaining weight.
• Overextending yourself and getting run-down or sick.

You do not get to make excuses very often, so you might as well take advantage of the chance to do so now. Just make them good so they work!

Iron-Clad Excuses

Your excuses need to be iron-clad so nobody can argue with them. In general, simpler is better because the longer you make it, the more they can find to argue with. For example, if you say that you cannot eat that fudge because it has too many calories, they can say that a little can fit into your diet. Instead, consider saying that you are not allowed to eat fudge. Period. Stay away from wishy-washy refusals that include, “Maybe,” or, “I don’t think so.” They open the door to the last thing you want – further offers!

These are some additional iron-clad excuses:

• “I cannot eat that.”
• “My doctor says I cannot eat that.”
• ”Thanks, but I am not hungry.”
• “I would love to go with you, but I need to be home at that time for my family.”

Keep It About Yourself

In an effort to be polite, you might decline an invitation by saying that you think the person who invited you might be too busy, or you do not want to inconvenience them. Unfortunately, that only opens the door for them to say that it’s okay, they still want to go. Instead, they cannot argue if you keep it about yourself: “I’m too busy,” or, “I have another commitment at that time” indisputable (and more polite than the possible truth: “I don’t want to!”).

Little White Lies

White lies are okay if you are using them for your health. If you are a bad liar, make it true.

• Instead of saying, “I don’t like fruit cake,” say, “Fruit cake does not agree with me” (perfectly true, since your goals along with losing weight may include avoiding dumping syndrome or saving room for protein-packed foods).
• Instead of saying, “I have other plans at that time” when you don’t, make other plans – even an appointment with yourself to relax. Then your “other plans” excuse will be true.
• If you do not want to do it (go out to dinner, for example), you can say, “I can’t do it because I don’t have the time.” You can make that true by coming up with something to do during that time, such as working out, planning meals for the next day, or reading a book with your kids – all truly more important than committing to an engagement that may be stressful or unhealthy.

Keep those excuses coming this season so you can keep yourself healthy and focused. Make sure your excuses are strong and on point so they work. And, have fun with them!