I meant every word I wrote. I conscientiously monitored my food intake and increased my daily physical activity. I had joined an online support group to keep from losing my focus. I was giving myself positive affirmations each day and patting myself on the back when goals were met. I did just about everything that is healthy and recommended for lifestyle changes that would lead to permanent weight loss and better health. So, what went wrong?
I'm not sure I remember which slip came first, or why one slip turned into two and then more--and then I was back to my former, unhealthy lifestyle. I don't think it matters which slip happened when. But I do realize that some of the reason why my change of lifestyle didn't work was because I didn't allow myself to be human. One slip, two slips--a dozen slips--it really doesn't matter.
There will be times when I eat something not prudent for weight loss, or times when I skip my exercise for the day altogether; what I couldn't face was that I wasn't perfect. I didn't heed the old adage about getting right back up on the horse that just threw you to the ground. Instead, I walked away, feeling defeated and depressed. The real victory, besides the improvement of health and happiness with the healthier lifestyle, is staying the course of the new habits, not giving into anything.
Old habits are hard to break, but not impossible. In times of stress or depression or loneliness, it is pretty easy to fall back to a familiar way of doing things, and eating has long been known to be an emotional salve. But the longer I work to make the healthy lifestyle changes, the closer I become to making those changes ingrained habits, slowly but surely replacing the old.
If I were talking to a friend or loved one, or even a stranger--someone who was bemoaning the fact that they had slipped from their diet or smoked a cigarette, or took a step back on any lifestyle change--I would encourage them to forgive themselves and to look at the bigger picture. I would congratulate them for making the decision to change in the first place and help them to see what strides they had made thus far; that putting aside the slip(s) was in their best interest. Why would I talk to myself any less kindly or honestly? I had, but I hope not to in the future.
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