I have read quite a few posts from people who have recently fallen off track and are having trouble getting back on plan. I thought I would share my recent experiences in an effort to inspire you to hop back on track.
I really struggled through October, binging for days at a time after being able to keep my eating under control for about 15 months. I would get back on plan for a few days, then overeat during the weekend, starting to fall into those familiar patterns that have led me to failure so many times before.
In mid October, I got back on track and decided to be brave and check the scale. Up seven pounds. Instead of feeling like a failure, I was pleased that I had only done that much damage - I was fearing I was back in the 200's. I celebrated by binging the whole weekend.
But I have gotten back on track. I felt so bloated that my pants didn't fit well. I went through two days of cravings. I didn't want to go to the gym so I just walked instead. But I got through it. I saw the water weight come off. I can cross my legs again. And I am eating healthy, back to working out per schedule, and feeling energized.
I am not special; I struggle regularly with wanting to eat more than I should and wanting to sleep in rather than exercising. But instead of throwing in the towel, I have made a personal commitment through July 18, my 2-year anniversary of changing my life, to keep going and not give up on myself. I started imagining how I would look and feel if I went back to where I was, and the picture wasn't pretty. I would miss how healthy I feel, and my ability to run, and my ability to walk rapidly down the hall at work and climb stairs without being breathless.
I have realized that I don't have to be perfect every day in order to succeed. I just have to be a little less hard on myself when I do binge or decide to take a day off from intense activity. It's about getting back on track as soon as you can. Another post, about the difference between a successful maintainer and a yo-yo dieter is not quitting - I don't remember who posted it, but a big thank you goes to that person because it is totally true. I know I won't be perfect for the rest of my life, but I finally understand that it is about having a lot more good days than bad, and getting back to healthy living as soon as possible.
If you are struggling to get back on plan, commit to one day of getting back on track, or as close to it as you can. Then do the same thing the next day. Don't strive for perfection, just strive for doing better each day until you are back to your regular routine. You can do it.