Here Come More Bouts Against Temptation
/Weight Loss Fluctuations (11.102025 to 11.16.2025)
Oy. Here we go again. Only a couple of weeks out from Halloween, the day of candy overindulgence that masquerades as a benign tradition of eating M&Ms and candy corn, which we slyly scarf up from our kids' goodie bags, and now we approach the holiday which is totally about eating. Scratch that. Thanksgiving has become a national observance of overeating.
It can feel like we're obligated to gorge ourselves—whether we want to or not. Other people's expectations, our memories of good and wonderful times from years ago—whether they were or not—and inescapable ads, images, and questions of "what are you doing for Thanksgiving?" can wear us down. Sometimes we can feel worn out, overwhelmed, and under-prepared to stave off temptation. "Resistance is futile," as the phrase goes.
However, resistance is not futile. Instead, it is possible. Moreover, it can be achieved. Right now, today, this holiday season. Even an onslaught of victuals from well-meaning family and friends needn't push us in a direction we don't want to go, or to eat what makes us feel like gross failures. My first holiday season after starting the ketogenic diet was lovely. We enjoyed family, laughing, and good food. The food was not the star, though. I’ve written about such to time here.
Temptation is part of life. It's present in everything that makes us human. From considering lingering on the sofa, watching yet another vapid but easy-to-digest reality show when we know there's laundry waiting to be folded, to eyeing that pair of red peep-toe pumps that you know you don't need, to having what the nuns who taught me in Catholic school referred to as impure thoughts, The Little Imp is always on our shoulder. Let's accept that.
The incredible power we have, although it's one we often leave lying on the battlefield of life, is that we can acknowledge the temptation without having to indulge it. We can recognize that we'd like to do that thing, eat that thing, engage in that activity, without doing, eating, or engaging in any of it.
We are stronger than we want to admit. Heck, if we admitted that a lot of the behavior in which we engage is controllable, then we'd have to ... I don't know ... start controlling it. As finger-aggy as that seems, it's a fact that we are capable of resistance. We can stand firm. We don't have to do a thing today just because we have always done it before. Aunt Ida's pecan pie (heretofore known as Aunt Ida's 'Guilt-Inducing Pie') needn't make its way onto our plate. If Aunt Ida gets the vapors because we demur a slice of her pastry, she should sit down and take a deep breath. She'll be okay.
And so will we.
When it comes to choosing what we eat, resistance is not futile. Resistance is not rude. Resistance is not punishment. Resistance is strength.
Let's look ahead to the new year and imagine what January might feel like when we enter it with triumph rather than with slouched shoulders, feeling like a doofus. Let's flick that imp off our shoulder, and perhaps give it an impolite hand gesture as it flies into the ether. The nuns might not approve of me suggesting such, but they're not here. (That's an impish thought. Maybe there's a naughty pixie flitting around me right now. But it won't get me to eat pie!)
Remember: If I can do this, you can do this. I promise.
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor, researcher, or Ph.D., but instead, I’ve been fortunate to have had the time and resources to research the ketogenic diet, also known as LCHF (low carb/high fat). The information I share is based solely on my understanding of that research. We are all responsible for our own choices, including what we put in our mouths, and there’s no substitute for each of us checking things out ourselves. And I’m not a medical professional in any way. Go Keto With Casey is not a medical site. “Duh,” you might say. But best to make it clear to all. I welcome questions, comments, and even civil criticism. I’m still learning. So, if you have something to add, go for it. Links in this post and all others may direct you to affiliate links, where I will receive a small amount of the purchase price of any items you buy through those links. Thanks!
