[guacamole]

Over the last few months I have noticed a pattern. I do well when I am in my normal "routine." Meaning, husband at work, kids at camp/school, me doing my normal chores/errands. I can eat right, work in a walk or two, and stay relatively on track.

However, the moment the routine breaks - kids on vacation, husband on vacation, going out of town, having guests, party, holiday season - my diet plan goes out the window. I keep looking at my life as if these blips are the exception rather than the rule. Now I realize that these exceptions happen all the time. I don't really have a consistent routine that can last for months on end. There are ALWAYS going to be some changes to the schedule that will pose a conflict for eating clean or exercising.

I need to stop excusing myself from my goals because of unordinary circumstances. The unordinary IS ordinary in my life, and I just have to deal with that fact and the temptations.

[kirsteng]

I can so relate to that. I've often thought that I couldn't get back on plan 'until Christmas is over', 'until after xx birthday', 'until after the vacation', 'until after Easter' etc etc etc. There's NEVER a good time to start - that stuff happens every month, even more now that I have 3 kids. I'm still trying to figure out though, how to get through those events without feeling like I'm obviously dieting, or without feeling deprived myself. I'm caloirie counting, so at least that makes all things possible - just in (less than) moderation.

It's great that you've come to that epiphany - now you can make a plan to get through those events... GL!

[twinieten]

I have the same problem. I don't know what to do about it!! It's really hard when the routine is off.