For the past few weeks, I've slowly fallen farther and farther off the healthy train.
I lost my mojo.
I just wasn't inspired to eat healthy, nor to exercise.
This happens every so often and every time it does, I've beaten myself up.
Until now.
I've realized that it's okay to take a break.
Leading a healthy lifestyle, is not a destination. You won't "arrive" at the place when, for the rest of your life without wavering, you'll exercise daily and never put a morsel of processed food in your mouth again. I'm just being realistic here. Birthdays happen. Holidays happen. Vacations happen. PMS happens.
While, I'm in no way condoning yo-yo dieting, in fact I downright think it's unhealthy, I am saying that sometimes, it's okay to take a breather. It's okay to indulge from time to time. It's okay to let your body rest for a few weeks. It's okay to let your hair down and not worry so much about every little thing you're putting in your body.
The truth is, leading a healthy lifestyle, especially when it doesn't come naturally, can be downright stressful. If it becomes more of a burden then a help, that's when you know that it's time for a time-out.
Now, here's the key, make sure you get this... you can't stay there.
Healthy eating is a journey. You have to pick up your knapsack and keep trudging forward.
The way I start to regain my mojo and find some inspiration, is by reading up on some of my favorite bloggers! Nothing motivates me like reading about all the delicious yummy food that I want to be eating (and that I can be eating cause it's healthy). Or reading about all the races they're running in. Makes me want to be running right alongside them!!!
Also, I know I need to examine my mindset. I used to have black-and-white thinking.
"Well, I just ate brownies for breakfast. There goes my diet. Guess I'll just eat whatever I want today."
"Well, I missed a workout, guess I've screwed up the entire 8-week plan. Guess I can just stop working out now."
I've worked really hard and by the grace of God, I've been able to change this way of thinking...
"Well, I just ate brownies for breakfast. Those were nummy. Better make sure I make healthier choices the rest of the day." or "Oh man, my tummy hurts after eating brownies for breakfast. Guess I won't be doing that again!"
"Well, I missed a workout in the plan. Perhaps my body needed the rest. Tomorrow I'll keep going!" or better yet "Well, I missed a workout in the plan. There's still hours in the day! I'll do it tonight instead of this morning, like I had planned."
This mindset had helped me to take breaks without guilt and also to stay on track!
I also know, that I know me. I know that I need a plan. I need to plan my meals ahead of time, so I don't have to think about "what do I feel like eating" in the moment. For me, that leads to poor choices. I know that I need a workout plan to follow. If I try to fly by the seat of my pants and decide the day of what I "feel like" doing for my workout that day, the workout won't happen. I also know that I need accountability, because it's too easy for me to say, "I'm too tired. I don't feel like working out." or "that doesn't sound good. I'll eat brownies instead."
So, here I am. Feeling refreshed from my few week break and ready to get back on track!
The plan:
- Workout: I've decided to give P90X a try. I may substitute a few of the workout videos for classes at the gym, or a home workout, or do the weights videos with free weights in the gym. I also would like to keep up with my running, so I may add in a few runs during weights days. Then again, I may not. It all depends on how my body is holding up. I am battling endometriosis, afterall ,and that can be unpredictable. Realistic goals, ladies, realistic goals.
- Diet: I will not be following the P90X diet, as it doesn't line up with what's best for treating my endometriosis and PCOS. I won a lifetime membership to YU and have received a number of meal plans already planned out for me. All I have to do is shop for the ingredients and make the food! Easy peasy. YU is vegan and therefore, follows closely The Endo Diet rules.
Readers: Have you been taking a break? Have you made the switch from black & white thinking to being more flexible? How do you stay on track? What motivates you to get back on track? Do you need a new diet & exercise plan or does flying by the seat of your pants seem to work for you?
