"In Moderation"

When people say you should do things "in moderation". What does that really mean? Does that mean do anything and everything "in moderation"? Or things that you don't really like, but tolerate? Or guilty pleasures? I'm not going to murder people "in moderation" or rob banks. I'm not going to do heroine or cocaine "in moderation". You may think this comparison is silly, but think about it. How do we make the differentiation?In terms of things that are good for us, "in moderation" plays a part, as well. I saw an incredible sunrise last week while walking my dogs. I don't walk my dogs with my phone and it was one of those sunrises I wished that I had my phone with me so that you could take a picture, but I knew that by the time I got my phone, the sunrise will be long gone.If there were spectacular sunrises every morning or all day long, would they hold the same value? If not, why not? They would be the same sunrise, just more often. It is clearly because I value seeing things that are rare more that things that are common.  So seeing gorgeous sunrises "in moderation" or rarely make them more special and gives them their appeal.This is the rationale people use to excuse "in moderation" for unhealthy habits. We need to be careful that we are not enablers to ourselves. Are we using the idea of "in moderation" to avoid admitting we are addicted? As a result, it can be co-opted by food companies to communicate skewed nutritional advice. The apparent vagueness of the concept makes “in moderation” especially useful for the junk food and fast food companies competing for space in your stomach.Obesity continues to be an insanely serious health issue in the U.S. Recent studies published in the journal JAMA proves that  obesity rates are continuing to increase for women and teens in general. In all, 35% of men and 40% of women are obese, and 17% of young people ages 2 to 19 are obese. Being obese puts a person more at risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, infertility and metabolic syndrome.How do you decide if something should be in the category of healthy "in moderation" and something that is an addiction. If I cannot have one glass of wine without having a 2nd and/or 3rd, then it is an addiction. Whether I consider myself an alcoholic or not, if I cannot control a craving, I'm addicted.  Drinking "in moderation" will not be a solution I can consider.Addiction is a sign that I have something going on emotionally that needs to be addressed. The addiction is masking the emotional issue. I am using the addiction to soothe the empty part of me emotionally. I am using the addiction to buffer myself from negative feelings.During this holiday season, I want to set a challenge for you. When you indulge "in moderation" of guilty pleasures, note how you feel afterwards. Are you too full? Do you gain weight? Do your joints become inflamed and stiff? Are you hung over and ruin an entire morning? Is it worth it? If your answer to that last question is an FIERCE YES, then cheers! But if it gives you pause, I'd like you to consider why. Are you using "moderation" to buffer from feeling something? Is having dessert, cheese, carbs, alcohol, spending, gossiping, etc a way to comfort yourself? If that's the case you may want to dig deeper.Sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. I am now focusing on VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, but in person programs are also available.If you know someone that might benefit from this work, please consider giving them a $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE this holiday season to one of my programs. Please contact me if you would like to purchase one.Have a wonderful holiday and happy FIERCE New Year!Stay FIERCE!