Old Ways
Weekend Wobbles
Old Ways Creeping In
It’s inevitable at some point on a weight loss journey, you stutter. You’re delighted with progression but somehow and quite unexpectedly old ways begin to creep back in. This has crept back into life these past couple of weeks.
Ok, it’s ‘only’ been at weekends, but I’ve let my guard down a little. Then suddenly, out of the blue, you find yourself creeping back into old ways a little more regular. I’ve hidden behind event excuses to overindulge. This is a dangerous game. Like at Christmas, alcohol triggered this relapse. I didn’t drink last weekend, but my mindset went back to where it was before.
Realising The Problems
Dealing With It
And this, my friends, is not good. On the plus side, I’ve detected the problem and tackled it head-on early. Like any addiction, you can find yourself relapsing without realising until it’s too late.
I don’t expect much, if any, weight loss this week and that’s ok too. When I started, we went out for a calorie-busting meal at Toby Carvery. I psychologically geared myself up beforehand, got through, enjoyed the meal and carried on. And lost weight that week.
Bad Weekends
The last two weekends, this has not been the case concerning eating.
Arguably, last weekend was worse. I ended up gorging in front of the telly, vomiting and eating too much sugar. Counting and watching what I was eating went out the window. Everything I stopped doing came back to haunt me.
That horrible feeling of eating till you are sick. Unable to stop gorging. Should have consulted my blog on this topic beforehand!
It wouldn’t have been so bad, had I mindfully eaten. One positive is what I ate wasn’t too disastrous. The takeaway food on Sunday was pretty healthy. Saturday was spent gorging on snack-a-jacks and crisp bakes. Not ideal but could have been worse.
Slipping Away
I’ve learned if you find yourself slipping into old ways, nip it in the bud immediately. Realize the problem and tackle it. Because it’s very easy to disintegrate into old ways and habits.
Before you know it, boom, that weight you’ve lost goes back on and you get a whole heap of unwanted problems to deal with. Your health deteriorates and you’re back to square one. And nobody wants that!
You’re like a fish swimming away from a hook, only to be reeled back in. Don’t fall for it!
More Life Zoom Meeting
Summary
I’m now on monthly meetings with More Life. I went into Monday’s session with apprehension. Part of me nearly didn’t bother going at all. I’m glad I did as it was an opportunity to speak about my recent troubles.
I came out of the meeting feeling very positive. Support – in many shapes and sizes – is vital. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as getting things off your chest.
I’m finding inner strength to continue this journey and not go back to where I was before. Sometimes, you have to step back to move forward.
Focus!
Back On Track
I feel I’m getting back on track. Nothing disastrous has happened, I’ve admitted going back down the road of debauchery can be pretty easy if you let your guard slip.
I’m on it and feeling good!
Conclusion
Stop, Think, Assess
If you feel things spiralling out of control, then take a step back. It’s not ideal but not the end of the world. If things feel really bad, seek help. Don’t be afraid to seek help. I’m on anti-depressants and it’s no shame. I believe they helped me avoid even darker places last summer when my weight and eating habits had completely spiralled out of control.
Old Ways But Losing Weight
A measure of where I’m at is I’ve only had a minuscule relapse but addressed the problems early. Old ways are very easy to slip back into. Even worse when you slip into old ways at weekends, have a good week and lose weight. This can lead to a false sense of security.
This is what happened to me. Sure, I’ve only taken my eye off the ball at weekends but long-term this is going to do my goals and aspirations no good at all.
I believe at my age; do this every weekend and I’ll stop losing weight and it could lead to mental health problems. At best, this approach is seriously going to hamper weight loss.
When I lost a lot of weight in 2009/10, I got away binging frequently at weekends. I’m not convinced I can now and am determined not to find out!
Think Positive!
Mindset
Since admitting the problems, I’ve changed my mindset to think of the positive aspects of my journey so far.
- The Depeche Mode T-Shirt I wear I type whilst a little tight does fit. I remind myself this didn’t fit three months ago.
- The belt is a little looser. I walk faster and breathe better.
- I only relapsed a couple of weekends. I’ve recognized this has been a little more than simply a few bad days.
Solutions
- Address and realize problems. If old ways and habits have slipped back into your life, write them down.
- Get back to basics. As I’ve started my journey and found what works, I’ve simply gone back to ways which made me lose weight and feel better.
- Think and stay positive! Tell yourself you got this. Be strong, and celebrate any achievement.
- Don’t give up. It’s the easy solution. To gouge in front of the television eating yourself into oblivion.
- Be mindful. Not only on eating but on all aspects of life.
