Start again. That’s basically it.
If you’re like me, this isn’t easy. In fact, it’s proven to be one of the most challenging feats of my life. There are times when I have this thing down and work it out perfectly. Then there are those times when I fall off. ALLLL the way off. Like… gain everything I lost back off. Can you guys where I am with this now?
So I started to go through these steps (listed below) and decided to write them down because I just CAN’T be the only one experiencing this. Here we go.
1. Relax
This is the time I usually am really hard on myself. That’s no good. Look, not losing weight isn’t the end of the world. It just isn’t. In fact, unless you have a health condition that’s getting worse due to your weight, it really isn’t that big of a deal AT. ALL. Yeah, you set a goal and fell off. So? Who’s gonna check you?
Chile please. Relax. Take a deep breath. Be kind to yourself. And keep on reading.
2. Reevaluate
This is the perfect chance to check in with yourself. Why are you on this journey in the first place? Is it because some people have commented on your weight, and you want to shut them up? Is it because you think *they* will find you more attractive? Or maybe because you’ve seen other people do it and now you wanna join in?
All of those reasons are no good. It HAS to be a decision from within. For example, at this time during my reevaluation, I reflect on the first time I was successful in losing weight. One of the things I did was not tell anybody. Not a single person. I just…made the decision and did it. People just started noticing I was losing weight, which was great. I did it because I wanted to. Period.
Even though I’m being transparent here, at times that can hinder more than help. All the Instagram pictures of people working out, posts on Facebook about what you ate that was UBER healthy today. Why? For what? For who? To prove what? Do what you have to do and then show the “after” pictures. Those are the ones that count. 🙂
Other questions to ask: Why did I fall this time? What happened? Do I even really want to do this? Am I using the right method (stop doing fad diets, guys.)? Am I motivated?
3. Refocus
After you’ve figured out that you DO want to do this, get yourself together. Again, no need to beat yourself up over it, just move forward.
I still maintain that while it’s great to have health goals and adapt a healthier lifestyle, life is just TOO SHORT to be miserable while doing it. If you’re hungry all day everyday, and if you’re dreading everything about this process…you WILL fail. You may be able to maintain for a few weeks, but eventually you’ll fall again. The point is to make changes that you can live with FOR LIFE.
If that means losing one pound a week instead of three, so be it. Do what works for you. But DON’T YOU DARE be miserable while doing it.
4. Regroup
Now you’ve pinned down exactly what happened. Where you “fell.” So what’s the game plan? What changes are going to have to be made?
For example, my downfall was not going to the grocery store. If I don’t go on the weekends (my weekdays are packed), then I have to trust myself to eat healthy fast food all week long. And it’s a fail. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And I KNOW this. But I continue to test myself. That’s no good. This is a change I HAVE to commit to making.
Anther thing. I cheat myself. I do my little dirt (a few cookies won’t hurt, right? Chips? French fries?) And don’t properly make up for it (workout). And somehow I convince myself it doesn’t “really” make a difference.
It does.
5. Restart
Now it’s time to take everything you’ve figured out and learned and move forward.
That’s it. There’s no magic formula. You’re just gonna have to do it. Take what you’ve learned, implement it, and maintain.
Relax.
Reevaluate.
Refocus.
Regroup.
Restart.
You’ve got this.