As I write this post, we're on the cusp of a new year. That means we've been through the parade of holidays stacked up in the final three months of the calendar. It can feel like holidays, whether secular, religious, or cultural, conspire against us; food foisted from every direction. Our best intentions and habits we've worked at changing for so long are tested by the onslaught of pies, candies, punchbowls full of colorful and sweet libations, and all the things we tell ourselves are indispensable for the celebrations to be authentic.

BEYOND KETO (with Casey)

"What? No cinnamon pinwheel biscuits on Christmas morning? Granny must be spinning in her grave!"

With all the general pressures that rolled into family get-togethers, work parties, and trying to make the perfect recreation of celebrations as we remember them from years past. (Those memories are often wildly inaccurate towards happy and stress-free, though, leaving us with unrealistic expectations, further adding to the angst.)

     Yes, those are cows in the road. One of the things that losing weight, feeling better, and getting out of my squishy comfort zone has led to traveling, namely to Colombia, South America. En route to visit our coffee farm we encountered a small herd of cows. They were munching on tasty plants on the roadside. Yet another item under the heading of ‘things I’ve never experienced before.’  They were unperturbed by our presence. We were patient, waiting for them to make way for us. After all, one shouldn’t rush hungry bovine, right? 🐄

Anywho, with the nonstop images, commercials, and rosey recollections pummeling our resolve, the idea of a bit of a 'cheat' creeps into our thoughts. I don't like the word cheat regarding food choices. Eating pretzels, ice cream, or popcorn isn't like looking at someone else's algebra test for the answers. Deciding to have a half dozen tacos for dinner isn't a sin. It's not a crime. It is a food decision. But because 'cheat' is a cutesy word, it allows us to gloss over what's really what. We label a meal, a mouthful, or because it's Saturday as a 'cheat,' and then scarf down handfuls of M&Ms and give ourselves a sly mental smile, thinking, "Aw. It's just a little cheat. I've earned it!" It's not unlike characterizing some foods 'junk' andthen feeding them to our children. What's up with that? *shrug* Most of us don't want to be thought of as cheaters, but there we are.

The thing is, cheat mouthfuls often lead to cheat meals and then to cheat days, which swell into cheat weeks, and ultimately, we find ourselves back to where we were—and feeling how we felt—before Food Silly Season started.

If you are reading this, you may be like me. That is, I need to be an abstainer. Being a moderator has never served me well. If you are like me, consider ditching the phrase 'cheat meal' from your vocabulary.

While you're at it, ditch the whole concept of so-called cheating. People like us need to hold our own feet to the fire. I decide to not cheat. Not on my husband. Not on my diet. And not even on algebra tests.

Moral of the story: Cheaters never proper. Let’s prosper, y’all.

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!