Relapse to Recovery…and Replanning!

I had planned for my next blog to be a totally different subject, but in light of my madness this weekend, this one fits the bill!

Have you ever had a plan that just went off track, with you driving the engine full steam ahead? That is what happened to me this weekend. I’ve been on my journey to health and weight loss for 9 weeks now. I’ve been diligent about recording my food intake, my exercise, planning, and coming along quite nicely. Unfortunately, the reason I’m on this journey is because I have a problem. A problem with FOOD! I’m addict of sorts…heck, just a plain addict if I’m honest with myself. I use food for comfort, and when I do that, I tend to lose control. I got some bad news on Friday which spurred a little ‘comforting’, which in turn became my weekend of debauchery. I didn’t journal, I didn’t exercise, and I just numbed my feelings with food. That is how I got in this boat the last time. Relapse…

Now on to the next stage…Recovery. Today I am journaling, exercising, and bringing myself back to square one. Square ones in the sense that I must retrain my cravings, regain my control, and push forward from my set back. I refuse to let this addiction control me any more. I back tracked my weekend, recorded all of it…the good, bad, and UGLY! I felt horrible after eating an entire pizza by myself…why did I do it? That is the question I must be honest about. I did it because I didn’t use my tools. I could have done so many other things instead of wallowing in my despair. What could I have done? I could have read a book…I could have watched a show I’ve been wanting to see…I could have picked up that knitting I have yet to finish…OR wait, I love to paint, I have supplies…OR, I could have exercised. Why didn’t I? Because old habit die hard and I didn’t have a plan. Replanning…

Life is going to happen on this journey. I can’t control it. I can’t surround myself with bluebird and everything nice with a Cinderella attitude that my prince will come and save the day! Sometimes, bad news will arrive, and I need a plan. So, with this blog, which makes me think, I’m coming up with a plan. Next time I feel this way I will comfort myself, but not with food. Instead, I will try to burn off some of the negative impulses with exercise or doing a non-food activity I enjoy. Drink some water, pay attention to my body, and let it guide me if I’m really hungry for food. I WILL journal, I will plan, and I will find peace in it.

Today I’m craving carbs something fierce. Longing for them…or the chips they represent. I have a plan though, so I’m sipping my sugar free vanilla caramel latte (that I made myself with Toroni sugar free syrup), blogging, and letting the cravings roll away. My plan is already starting to work.

How do you recover from a relapse?

April Fools...or my reality of family holiday food festivals!

April...the signs of spring have sprung. The weather is changing nicely. Summer is on it's way...and EASTER!! As I post this, Easter has passed (this last weekend) and I spent it at my family's, with the usually family food fest.

This year was different for me. Instead of the huge mound of food on my plate, followed by cake, pie...OH, and those decadent little commercial chocolate eggs filled with peanut butter...I chose moderation. Nope...not deprevation. Not a all or nothing attitude. Just the knowledge the last 8 weeks of working my butt off on my road to regaining me has taught. I can induldge, but do I really want it. Sometimes yes, sometimes no...but portion control is now my guide. As well as counting everly last morsel.

So as I continue on this journey...I made it though my first family holiday. I can do this...I will do this...one day, season, and holiday at a time!

More blogs to come soon...my list is growing. The next subject I think shall be cheating, and not with hot guy down the street, but more with the hot rolls at the table. :)

Happy Spring!