Day 21: Don't Let 1 Mistake Derail You

Day #21
Pounds Lost: 9.5
Goal: -50 lbs.

OK,  so I did not make it the full 21 days without a mistake, but I am still proud of myself.   In the past I would have let my self disappointment lead to more self sabotage.   Instead, I tried to analyze what happened and get right back on track.  The day before had been wonderful.  Even though it was not a real holiday, we had a family get together for the first time in a long time.  There were lots of my favorite foods including guacamole, chips, chicken wings, key lime pie and more.  But I stayed strong by planning ahead.  I made sure that there was a healthy and enticing alternative by requested grilled swordfish and veggie skewers be served.  They were delicious and I felt OK saying "no" to the off program food and alcohol.

The next day started with some challenges at work and a long tiring day.  I did not plan ahead and at dinner time all I had was some leftover chicken that I had eaten several times already.   I heated up the chicken and took a few bites but just could not eat it.  I went back to the refrigerator and took out the chicken wings that I had denied myself the day before, looked at them and then dug in.  

What was going on?   I was tired and emotional and, yes, feeling deprived that I couldn't have everything that the rest of the family ate the day before.  The day before I had not felt deprived at all, so what was the difference?  The difference was that this time I had not planned ahead.

The cookie diet is really easy to do and the only meal I have to worry about is dinner.  I hate to cook, but fortunately my wonderful husband does most of the cooking.  However, the responsibility to plan ahead is mine.  It is important to make sure you have healthy choices available to keep you on track.  

I felt pretty bad about myself and in the past that would have led me to eating more unhealthy food, because why not?  I already blew it.  That inevitably leads to getting up the next day and saying well, I might as well have some pancakes today because really, what does it matter?  This time I handled things differently.

After a few chicken wings, I put the container away and thought about why I made the choice that I made.  I recognized the role emotion plays in our choices and how important it is to plan ahead.  I made peace with my decision and woke up the next day with new resolve and my eye on the goal.  I did not try to punish myself or starve myself to make up for it.  I just got back to the Program and moved forward.  

Day 21 and down 9.5 pounds.  Making a mistake does not make you a bad person, and it's not what you do once in a while, but what you do consistently that will lead to your success.