I Must Admit... I CHEATED!!!

There is very likely no one that is harder on you than yourself.  I know this to be very true because it is certainly the case for me.  I set goals and expectations for myself that are often unrealistic but then spend needless hours beating myself up about it if I don't obtain the goals or exceed my own expectations. Taking on challenges such as dieting, exercising and overhauling the way I thought about food is no exception.

The more progress I make, the harder I am on myself it seems. I am taking a step back for a moment, breathing and reflecting.  I have to keep in mind that I went from eating out constantly, stopping at the drive-thru for at least one meal a day if not two or three and drinking wine almost every night to cooking at home, taking snacks in the car with me, drinking only water, etc.  These are some HUGE changes to make - especially over a somewhat short period of time!  

I "cheated" on more than one meal this past weekend.  (I paid for it too last night I will admit!) I got up this morning and felt horrible about myself.  I felt like I let myself down, like I wasn't trying hard enough and I even looked in the mirror and thought to myself that I had gained some weight.  

The reality is, I probably didn't gain a single pound!  The problem is that I expect so much of myself that when I do "fall off the wagon" it makes it very difficult for me to deal with.  This is the biggest issue that I must face and that I must deal with at this time.    

There are days that I wake up and don't want to go to the gym but I go anyway.  There are days that I drive past a Chick-Fil-A and crave their nuggets and fries so much that it's all I can do to not turn around but I don't.  Then, quite frankly, there are days where I go out to dinner with my family and we order dessert for the table and I tell myself that I'm not going to have any and I end up eating half the dang thing!

My point here is that I am not perfect as you are not perfect.  We will have our momentary lapses and our times of weakness and that is okay.  I told you at the beginning of my blog writing that this is not always easy and you won't always be 100% committed and be able to stick with your new diet and exercise routine. That is where I was this past weekend.

Today is Monday, I have eaten just the way I should all day and I will go to the gym tonight and get my workout in and I will be right back on schedule where I should be.  I need to let this weekend's indiscretions go and I will. 

It is important for me to share this with my friends and family so that if you "veer off the right path" in your diet and exercise routine and begin feeling the same way you will know:

1. That we can all relate!
2. That this too shall pass!
3. You are STILL doing a great job!

Don't beat yourself up about any "slip-ups" that you may have.  Jump back up, wipe yourself off and get right back on track!  It is not always going to be easy, I can promise you that but as I have said in the past it will always be worth it!  

Remember that if you are having a difficult day, time, moment, whatever then you should reach out to someone that knows your goals or that shares your goals and look to them for support.  More importantly, take some time to yourself to look back through your old pictures and through your old food logs and see the incredible strides that you have made!

I am a work in progress on many levels, this one included. I know that I have the strength and the wherewith all to get over this little momentary struggle and to see the sun shining on the other side of this little hill that appeared to be a mountain at about 11:30 last night! 

Keep pressing through!!  If you find yourself feeling this way then take a few moments to sit back and reflect on your accomplishments, take some deep breaths, forgive and forget!  Then, get your butt back on the right road the next day!!