Yesterday I whined and ranted about my "epic fail" during my refeed. Of course, I'm still not pleased about it, but today, I got up, ate my egg whites, and got right back on the horse.
This is what it takes.
I've talked a lot recently about versatility, the ability to change things that aren't working, and adapting yourself to your situation.
The other personality trait of vast importance is perseverance.
Friends and readers write to me sometimes and tell my about how hard it is to start right back up. I see it on forums all the time. Starting again is harder than starting at all. This is a universal problem that occurs with every dieter who has ever lost a pound.
You fall down. You get back up. You lose weight. You fall down. You get back up. You lose weight.
OR
You fall down. You get back up. You lose weight. You fall down. You say "Screw it." You don't lose weight. In fact, you gain everything you lost and more.
Really, these are your options. There are no others because none of us is perfect. The number of times you are willing to get back up again must directly correlate with the weight you lose - there's gotta be a statistic for that somewhere.
How do you keep getting up again? Well, eventually you get sick of getting back up again. You get so sick of it that you fall down a lot less because you just don't want to have to start again. The only problem with that is when you do fall, it's far more startling. This is where things can go awry.
It's okay, even important, to beat yourself up a little. I know that's not the common advice, but all this huggy kissy I'm okay, you're okay stuff isn't going to get you to where you want to go. So reach back there and kick your own butt and get UP. Just don't beat yourself up to the point you won't get up again.
The other part of getting back up again is to do it immediately. Don't lay there on the grass and catch your breath. Don't make plans to get back up. Don't figure out, while you are lying there munching a cookie, when the most convenient time to get back up might be.
Just get up. Do it now. Move on. Your very next meal will be on your plan. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You will get to your destination
I think that a good way to keep on going is not to have an all or nothing attitude. I like not to be so strict and lose slowly than continually falling down and starting over. I think that tough love for oneself is required. You have to limit your portions and keep things 80-90% healthy. I've been doing it now for 3 yrs and it is one foot in front of the other.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anonymous! Slow and steady is definitely a great way to do it. It all depends on how you're wired. I see all the time people getting off plan and getting upset about it - it happens to all of us - my point is to forgive yourself and just get back on plan as soon as you can.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the success you've found - 3 years is definitely a success story!
Hey Daisygirl!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your title for your blog, I had to share this link with you. Its one of my favorite Christian artist. So enjoy it!!
Amy (cmmom)
oops. Forgot the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5OqyBYKh4
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you got back on track right away :) that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kyoko! Thanks for stopping by and for the encouragement! Welcome!
ReplyDelete