A while back, out of nowhere, I began having stomach problems.  I went to the doctor and she said I was having GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms.  “You never had this before so it’s probably being caused by something new to your daily diet.  And since you don’t drink alcohol, pop, coffee, tea, have much citrus or eat spicy or fried foods are you eating a lot of some new type of chocolate?”

“Um… what do you mean by a lot?” I asked.  “I’m recently a teensy-tiny bit addicted to Breyers Fat Free Double Churn Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream.”

“Just how much of it are you eating?” she asked.

“Well, a half a cup is only 1 Weight Watcher point and it’s really good so, you know, maybe I have 3 points… or 4 points… a day.  Maybe.  Plus, it’s partially milk,” I said, trying to rationalize this to my 95-pound doctor who probably doesn’t even know what a Weight Watcher Point is.

“Well, just give it up and see if it the stomach problems go away,” said the doctor who has obviously never even tasted Breyers Fat Free Double Churn Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream otherwise she would know what a difficult thing she was asking of me.

“Completely stop eating my beloved ice cream?”  I asked with a panicked tone.

“Do you want to be on medication for the rest of your life?” she asked.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” I said reluctantly.

When I got in the car, I decided that I’d just finish the few cartons I have in the freezer and then I’d be ready to stop buying the ice cream.  Then, I cracked up at myself.  “Oh, my Gosh,” I laughed.  I was acting like a drug addict or something, preparing myself with one last binge before rehab!  And I was seriously considering taking the medication just so I could keep eating the ice cream.  Was I insane?  When I got home I kicked my habit cold turkey and have not had one stomach problem since then.  I laugh every time I think about it.

“Being able to laugh at yourself instead of being self-critical is exactly the attitude one should have,” explains my good friend, Dr. Deborah H. Stern, Psy.D, Licensed Clinical Psychologist in practice at Perakis, Resis, Woods and Associates (www.prapsych.com).

Dr. Stern and I have been writing a New Year’s Resolutions column for the past four years and this year Dr. Stern says to focus on LAUGHTER.  “Everyone knows what it feels like to laugh and what a natural high it can be,” says Stern.  “Endorphins are released in your brain when you have a good ol’ laugh.  It’s good for you to laugh till your belly hurts so let’s all try to do that more.  Obviously, no one has full blown laughter attacks every day but you can have laughter in smaller doses.  It can be as simple as smiling more.  Go out of your way to see funny movies or TV shows, see a comedian, be around people who make you laugh or who you tend to laugh with.

“Again, being able to laugh at yourself is most important,” Dr. Stern adds.  “If you’re making resolutions which involve making a lot of changes in your life, you’re going to mess up at some point, so be ready and willing to laugh at yourself and move on.  A little laughter goes a long way—in the right direction.”

By the way, today I’m 56 days Breyers-free and doing great.  Now I’m into Fiber-One Poptarts!  Have a wonderful Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year!

© 2009 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois