How To Have A Guilt-Free Easter Holiday

How To Have A Guilt-Free Easter Holiday

Filed Under: Holiday Eating

26 March 2024 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis

Over the past few weeks, I have spent many coaching sessions talking about Cadbury’s mini Easter eggs. Clients have been sharing how difficult it is to stop eating them! I totally get it.

I have lived the chocolate wars. Allow me to show you how this unfolds…

Coach to Client: “What did you say to yourself before eating the chocolate”?

I feel like chocolate.

I shouldn’t have chocolate.

Chocolate’s bad.

But I really want some.

Okay… but I can only have ONE.

Client has one chocolate Easter egg very fast because it “doesn’t count”.

Hmmm that was nice. I want another one.

Oh… but I really shouldn’t.

I don’t need it.

It’s unnecessary.

Ok then…ONE more and that’s it.

Client has a second Easter egg with not much awareness because of the judgement around eating more chocolate.

I really want another one.

You’ve already had two!

It’s enough. No more!

A brief pause.
Client eats chocolates reactively, not really paying attention to how the chocolate tastes and without tuning into how the body feels.

F*£@ it! Who cares!  I’m having another one….

………………….

Well, now I’ve blown it.

I’m just going to finish the packet and get rid of it.

Sound familiar?

I spent almost 30 years eating most things this way.

But it doesn’t have to be like this, there is another way to eat chocolate.

How do we eat chocolate Easter eggs with permission and pleasure?

It goes something like this…

I feel like some chocolate.

Eat chocolate with no imposed limit.

Pay attention to the flavours, smoothness and texture.

Hmmm, this is good, I’d like some more.

Eat more chocolate. Enjoy every bite.

Do I feel like more? 

Hmm, maybe a bit more and then I’m done.

Stop eating chocolate feeling satisfied and content.

No judgement. No guilt. No blame. No shame.

Happily move onto another activity.

I specially recorded a chocolate eating meditation for you, it’s a taste of eating chocolate mindfully and joyfully.

Wishing all who celebrate, a Happy Easter!

All my best,
Xen

“From our first meeting - two faces on Zoom across the world from each other, there was a sense of familiarity and comfort that was a healing balm for a lifetime of food struggles and dieting. Without realizing how much damage I had done to myself by adhering, for decades, to restrictive food plans and rigid diet programs, Xen had a way of redirecting the harsh and negative self-talk and sending me forth each week with compassion, mindfulness and a new way of seeing myself in the here and now. Gone are the maybe somedays, and if-only, and when-I’m-smaller thinking. Now I am committed to the imperfect and rocky path to listening to my body, accepting my perfect imperfections, and rejecting diet mentality. Those negative voices will revisit me from time to time, I know, but Xen has offered valuable tools for meeting each day as a fresh start - another choice, another chance. Her devotion to this work and her belief in her clients is a remarkable gift; I am so fortunate to have found her. It is never too late to let go of the drama and embrace joy, ease and self-acceptance.”

Karen L, Denver, USA

Certified by The Life Coach School Certified and Trained by The Original Intuitive Eating Pro Professional Member of The Center for Mindful Eating