I’m quick at bouncing back.
In the past I let a setback or two, like a binge or a few missed workouts, grow into something more. I have a long history with emotional eating and in the past I’d make a slip up or two on my healthy lifestyle because of emotions and suddenly I’d missed a month at the gym and eaten whatever I wanted. Usually one setback led to a few gained pounds and once it led to all the weight being gained back (although it’s hard to blame it on just one thing, since depression was a big part of that).
But these days, I’m quick at bouncing back from setbacks.
I binged on junk food over the weekend but I didn’t let it destroy all my progress. By Sunday I was eating clean again and I spent 2 hours at the gym doing cardio, circuit training, and stretching (it was a glorious workout).
Today I could have easily slept in but instead I woke up at my normal 6 a.m. and went to the gym because I really like morning workouts. I worked out for 45 minutes and it made me feel good about the rest of the day. It’s like the binge never happened over the weekend because I jumped back into my normal healthy routine so quickly.
Yeah, doing the healthy stuff is normal for me now. It might have taken years to get here, but the eating crap and binges are my odd days. My normal is healthy food and exercise.
I love it.
That’s why I bounce back so quickly these days. It’s because my normal is the healthy lifestyle. Even if I never lose another pound or for some reason gain another 50, I’m still going to do this. It’s what feels natural and normal to me.
No one is perfect. No one does this lifestyle perfectly. What matters more than being perfect is being quick to bounce back and not just give up. I’ve learned at least that much!
Do you bounce back quickly? Or does a setback or two drag you down?
A setback drags me down, attaches an anchor to my foot, and leaves me for dead. :-( Good on ya for getting out of the funk!
Thanks for sharing this! You are totally right in that what matters more is being able to bounce back quickly. It usually takes me two to three days to bounce back.
You have such a great attitude! Love it and keep on trucking :)
Set backs hold me down.
It’s terrible to me because in my mind I know it would be so easy to get back on track, but for some reason I have such a hard time actually doing what I know I should be doing. Then I get depressed about it and turn to food…it’s a vicious cycle.
I haven’t necessarily given up though.
I know deep down I can cone out on top, I just have to stop saying and start doing, you know?
I totally understand this Amy. I know that vicious cycle too well, unfortunately. But it really is a matter of finally getting to a place where you know it’s easier to get back on track and actually doing it. It took me a long time to get to this place where I don’t just get drug down for long periods because I know ultimately I want to keep on this path.
I know you can come out on top. I think you will find out what motivates you to keep on with it!
It depends on my state of mind. Sometimes I can bounce back right away and other times it can take several months. Glad your out of your funk.
Yes as I keep working on the self care, compassion, loving muscle and I’m honest of what I did and why it’s no longer working. I find it easier to bounce back. It’s about making progress in my recovery and understanding that I may take a few detours along the way which are lessons that Im learning and I will be able to grow from it. Its awesome that you are creating a new normal go to routine. You are so inspiring!
Good for you Mary! I think that was one of the biggest changes for me too in this last time trying to lose weight/getting healthy.. realizing that slip ups WILL happen and that the best thing I can do is bounce back as quickly as possibly. Even in maintenance, i still struggle a lot with slipping up/getting back on track, but I’ve just made a habit of getting back to it quicker.
I love this. I can definitely relate (to the binge eating past and sometimes present) and making healthy (mindsets, actions, eating) the new normal. Last Saturday, I ate a LOT of icing and cake and normally that kind of choice would send me into a tail spin. Not this time! I went right back to my healthy habits. And while I wouldn’t plan to stuff my face like that again, I don’t feel that stop-me-in-my-tracks guilt like I used to (so often).
That being healthy is just normal for you now is a really big deal! Congrats!!
Thanks Rachel. It’s actually been my normal for a while but I just haven’t thought of it in those terms much before.
It is a great lesson learned Mary – the bounce back! ;-) Patience is important & yes, none of us are perfect so just getting back to it is the way to go!!! :-)
I try not to get dragged down for too long. It takes some sort of reality check to get me back in line. And I’m looking for that to happen real soon!
Set backs do pul me down and then it takes a lot to get back up
Its definitely been difficult in the past to bounce back, and I also experienced a small set back these last couple of weeks. Yet some how through the storm I’ve come to the other side, having lost weight. Its quite miraculous, and not at all ideal for continuing loosing weight. I suppose the major lesson is, what if I hadn’t eaten that package of cookies in two days? How much more weight might I have lost?
Either way, I don’t let guilt of consumption control me, and I am feeling great, all things considered.
Congrats on the bounce back! I’m not there yet but it sounds like a great place to be! Keep up the great work!
I will force you to bounce! Bouncy bouncy you will bounce when I tell you!
Haha, jk, but a little bit serious because I get to be the wife and take care of you… part of which will be me forcing you to bounce back quickly because I know we are both happier when doing the healthy stuff. :)
I have been reading your blog for a while now and you are a great inspiration to others. Keep up the good work.