So, I have been working diligently all summer to write and post everyday. And there, right at the end of July, I slipped. I fell off the wagon. I missed two days and oh boy, it was Soo Tempting to just not write today and just post tomorrow. And we all know how this works. I will say I am starting tomorrow, but it ends up being next month’s tomorrow. So, no ‘tomorrowing’ here.
I also noticed this same approach to “cheat days” or junk food days. It starts as a mouthful, then a meal, then a day, then a full 24 hours, then a weekend, and … you know the rest. What can I do when I fall off the wagon, so that it doesn’t become a full on wagon crash and burn?
Schedule regular accountability checks
Sometimes knowing that I’m going to talk to so-and-so at such-and-such a time helps me to stay on track. Sometimes knowing there is a set time to ‘fess up can make it easier to confess. Empathy always helps.
Find an Empathetic Support Person
An empathetic person would know what it’s like when you mess up but still want to go toward a specific goal. They would not encourage you to stray away from your goal. They would not make you feel like you will never get to your goal because you mess up too much. They will encourage you and strengthen your resolve. Because they’ve been through some similar things, they might be good to bounce ideas off of. They also give you room to make your own decisions.
Make a plan for how to start again
Work out in your mind what steps will make you most successful in starting again. For example, I know that fasting can get people into Ketosis more quickly. But I also know fasting in a carb adapted (not fat adapetd state) can feel impossible for some people. Trying to fast before you start Keto again can be the thing that stops you.
That’s just one example. Take time to consider what makes getting back on track hard for you. Keep what is essential. Keep the little things that help. Get rid of the things in the way.
Recharge your resolve
There was a reason why you wanted to go down this path in the first place. Reconnect to that. Sometimes that initial reason isn’t enough to keep you in it. Something I heard from Keto Salt Lake was, “people come to Keto for the weightloss, and stay for the health benefits.” I was that way too. Looking good is okay – I mean it’s nice, it’s alright. Feeling good, my knees not hurting (from inflamation, not weight), avoiding neuropathy, avoiding a family history of diabetes and Alzheimer’s, enjoying the taste of fat and salt, and feeling full are all much better reasons. The better reasons give me fuel that recharges my resolve.