I’ve just come back from a fantastic few days in Wales celebrating my mum’s 70th birthday – it was so lovely to get together again; we were blessed with glorious weather, lots of fun times were had by the pool and on the beach, and lots of delicious food and drink consumed – a fabulous champagne breakfast, a family pub meal (finally), toasting marshmallows on the fire pit and cocktails a plenty. All in all, a wonderful holiday! And wonderfully indulgent too.

So what’s the damage?

This is the question I usually ask myself when I return from a week away, generally infused with a twinge of guilt and a side of remorse. The lack of exercise. Excessive consumption of food and drink. And usually I then follow the week or two off with a full blown detox and go all health freak.

However, as this is the year I am confronting my unhealthy mindsets, this time I have a slightly different outlook and am challenging myself to think differently.

Firstly, why the guilt? Why should I feel so guilty to let my hair down and enjoy a few treats with my family. Especially this year when we have seen so little of each other. No, I refuse to feel so guilty about it anymore. What is life without sharing a cupcake with my mum on her birthday or enjoying an ice cream on the beach with my kids!? And when I view it like this, actually it feels less like a colossal fall from the wagon and therefore I don’t fall so hard. Enjoy the cupcake…but then eat sensible portions and don’t stuff myself silly just because I’m on holiday so it’s ok to. There is a saying – “Everything in moderation” – and that includes indulgence in moderation too. Time to stop being so hard on yourself.

Secondly, the lack of exercise. Yeah, sure, I took my running kit that once again didn’t make it out of the suitcase! But the reason for that was on the day I had planned to do a 5k, we spent hours walking along the seafront and pier and when I got back my legs were shot. So I may not have done the run, but I was still pretty active. All that playing on the beach, messing about with the kids in the pool, cricket in the garden. When I think about it, I was actually probably more active each day than on a standard work day when I sit at my desk for hours on end. So again, not too bad really. And actually, as a 40 something, it’s probably done my body a bit of good to have a rest from the more vigorous workouts and runs that I usually do – leaving me refreshed when I get back.

When you look at it from this angle, “So what’s the damage?” doesn’t seem to be the right question.

Instead, how about accepting that you have given your body and mind a well deserved period of rest. Feeling refreshed and recharged after a week of fun and relaxation.

And you know what? With this mindset, there has been very little “damage” done at all anyway.

I’ve not fallen off any wagon.

Just enjoyed some indulgence in moderation!