We all experience set backs along the way at one time or another. Most of us can rationally accept this when talking in generalities or about others, but when it happens to us, our reaction is a whole different story. Whether it’s a weekend of overeating, a lapse in your exercise routine or you’re just experiencing a lack of motivation….it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that you can pull out of it. It’s all part of the journey.

I’ve been struggling with emotional eating recently. It’s extremely frustrating to know better but then to allow yourself to do it anyway. It’s embarrassing and disheartening to you watch yourself slipping back into past habits that you thought you had long since overcome. Of course I know better than to think that using food will help me deal with my emotions, so how am I going to get out of this pattern and get back on track?

Here’s what I started to do…..I started to get very down on myself. I started to focus on the WHYs of the situation. Why aren’t I mentally stronger? Why do I still struggle with food issues and so many others don’t? Why does my brother in law have to take this fabulous promotion in Texas and move my sister (who’s also my best friend) and my 4 nieces and nephews that I love as if they were my own with him to a great new house with a pool, lower taxes and warm weather all year around and leave me behind in Elburn?? WHY?? WHY??

Haha……Funny, but not really 🙁 Then it hit me. This train of thinking is completely futile. It is what it is. Who cares “why”. Just deal with it. Managing my eating is something I want to do because I know it’s worth the effort. I’m beating myself up and it’s not helping how I feel about myself or my behavior around food whatsoever and it’s definitely not stopping my sister and her family from moving to Texas!!!! I’ve been down this road before many times and I know it doesn’t lead to any place I want to revisit.

So when we have experienced a set back or a “rut” what do we do??? We take it ONE day at a time. We stop worrying about the mistakes we might have made yesterday. We forgive ourselves and move on. We don’t focus on the what if’s that tomorrow might bring. We look the NOW straight in the face and we deal with it. We take action NOW. One day at a time. We surround ourselves with supportive people and we treat ourselves with respect and compassion. I can do one day at a time and I know you can too.

Life…what a journey, huh????

All is well:-)