You Can Start Over At Any Time

Poofy_Goodness

I have seen a lot of people both in my life and on MFP waiting for a new day, a new week, a new month or a new year to "start over" with a goal they have failed, or fallen off track with.



"Okay so, I ate way too much at the lunch buffet. I'll start over with my diet tomorrow."

"I missed one of my workouts from my weekly schedule, but next week I will kill it!"

"This month was really bad. I ate a lot on weekends and missed workouts. Next month is gonna be different!"

There's nothing wrong with this way of thinking in general. Some people like the symbolic clean slate idea. It works for some people. However, it can also become a crutch.

"Well that lunch buffet already killed my calorie goal. Guess I can have whatever I want for dinner."

"Now my whole schedule is off because I missed that work out. It's too much effort to fit in an extra work out. I'll just wait until next week to get it all right."

"I screwed up 3 weeks this month, what's one more week. Next month I'll be better."

The truth is, you can start over at any point in time.

Missed a scheduled workout? Keep to the schedule anyway. Start over with a walk after dinner. Do a different work out that is a bit more convenient even if it isn't what you scheduled.

If you went to the coffee shop intending to get a small coffee with skim milk and came out with a white chocolate mocha with whipped cream, then start over with lunch. Make a better choice.

Messed up over 3 weeks this month? START OVER NOW, get a head start on your next month of awesomeness this week so that you have a better chance of success.

Pigged out at the companies catered lunch? Have a small dinner.

Waiting for that clean slate day, week, or month can sometimes leave you more room for mischief.

Start over NOW.

queenbekks

thanks for this, good advice that I already knew, but needed to hear today

SpeSHul_SnoflEHk

I have often wondered about similar things in the world of New Year's resolutions. If you know you have a problem, why procrastinate and put it off until an arbitrary (OK. it may be symbolic) date on the calendar. If you have a problem, and you recognize it, change it immediately.

I can honestly say, I have never made a single resolution in my life.

Most of the folks I know who wait to make a change by the calendar, usually end up trying to change too much at once, and end up failing.

SoDamnHungry

My favorite advice.

minimalistmom

Exactly. It's never to late to start over.

cici1028

Really nicely said. You don't have to tank a whole day or a whole week because of one bad decision. Just make the next one be a better decision than the last one you made!

Poofy_Goodness

I was guilty of "the start over so much I never even started" way of being.

Every second is a new beginning.