Failures and setbacks

I've actually found NOT being super strict is the only thing that keeps me on the path. It alleviates the pressure, which alleviates the fear of failure, which alleviates the inevitable spiral of shame that comes when I make a less-than-healthy choice. It's easier to just keep walking than it is simply sit down and howl at not being able to run.

(I don't know if that analogy made sense. Running = being one of those magical people who never do anything "wrong." Walking = keep on keepin' on, day after day, no matter what.)

What has been helping me is I have people to do it with. We plan to only have one meal a week that isn't part of the paleo diet we are trying to stick to for my health. It also helps that when I don't stick to it I feel sick. It is depressing to step on that scale and see I've gained a few pounds back and I'm depressed about it for a bit but then I just make myself keep doing it. I know I can lose it as long as I stick with it, and so can you. Trust yourself. It's ok to slip occasionally. Don't plan to always eat healthy. Give yourself at least one meal a week you can have something very unhealthy. Or if you have a sudden craving for something work it into your daily plan, just do it in moderation. Yesterday I HAD to have chocolate milk even though I haven't had any milk in three weeks due to the diet. I just bought one of the single serving containers and split it with my husband. It was totally worth the little bit of extra calories.

After my miscarriage I had a total set back! I was 3lbs from my minigoal and the minute I lost the baby I emotinally lost it. This happened in October. I had to literally pull myself back up because frankly I felt worthless and like what was the point I had lost this weight finally become pregnant and I damn f'en couldnt carry the baby.

Emotional wreck. I binged like I've never binged before for months. I didnt see the point anymore. But...theres always hope. I'm still not perfect. I dont usually fit into my calorie goal, but guess what I havent binged in awhile!

I know that with health and fitness it will never be over. Every single day that you are still alive is another chance to try to do better eat a bit healtheir, try a new vegetable, try to eat less salt, and move a little more. It never ends it cant end! So Ok you went 500 calories over or you had a stressful day and couldnt endure the smell of the gym...guess what? God willing you get tomorrow to try it over again. So each time you move or nourish your body you are successful. You are healthier than you were yesterday. Theres not really much more than us getting older and eventually dying, but I look at that as a glimmer of hope because now I have the option to chose how healthy I want to be when I'm old. So the motivation comes from desire to be healthier better and slightly more evolved than the day before. And if you are just getting out of bed tracking your calories and walking the dogs or whatever you did better than if you hadnt done a blessed thing. So have fun experimenting and learning about your body feeling it move and become stronger because anyone who has this kind of hope and desire is certainly not a failure.

You've been given great advice and suggestions. Remember each new day presents a do-over opportunity. Be kind to yourself.