Okay. You blew it. Ate too many nachos, drank too many margaritas. Or somehow that open bag of Oreos–or that pint of rocky road–just disappeared. Or you were forced to eat the leftover pizza for lunch because you didn’t get to the supermarket for salad ingredients. Your healthy eating plan is blown for the week. You scold yourself and promise you’ll start again next Monday. Days away from now. We’ve all done it, but I still have to ask, “How’s that working for you?” I thought so. It’s that perfectionist, “all or nothing” pattern of thinking that probably landed us at this spot.
How many nights have we gone to bed beating ourselves up with woulda, coulda, shoulda? How many days, weeks, months have we wasted waiting the next fresh start? How many moments?
Answer: Too many. Way too many.
Many times it’s not what happens to us, but how we respond that sets the pattern. Success just means getting up once oftener than you fall down.
You can have a clean slate any time you want. So, the next time you eat or drink more than you intended—and let’s face it, honey, it will happen—forgive yourself and figure out what went wrong. Where did that decision start? Did you let yourself get too hungry? Did you neglect to plan ahead? Did you let a bad day set the stage for overdosing on comfort food? Learn what trips you up and who–besides Ben and Jerry, that is–can comfort you when you are sad or angry or frustrated. Then make your very next decision a good one. Here are a few to consider:
- Drink more water. Add lemon or cucumber slices to make it feel and taste special.
- Be sure your next meal or snack a healthy one.
- Take a walk.
- Write in your journal about what set you off.
- Add a few more minutes at the gym.
- Call a supportive friend.
- Plan a few menus, make a shopping list and head to the market.
The key here is to forgive yourself and move on. Keep moving on. Aim for progress, not perfection. 
What will be your next step after a slip-up?
Lorie Smith Schaefer 
Thank you Lori,
I love your Healthy Habits Series and believe reading it is really helping me focus on me.
Clare
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I’m so glad you like them. I like writing them and hope they are regular gentle reminders to take care of ourselves.xo
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They certainly are. Thank you Lori.
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Great advice! I learned that in Weight Watchers years ago that we can always start over!
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Indeed. And it’s important not to have to start from the beginning every time. A lapse doesn’t have to lead to relapse and then a collapse. Thanks for stopping by.
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Thank you! I need to hear that. I do it and then not do it and then do it again and then not and on and on. I just started two weeks ago to walk 3 miles a day. I want to do it for a 100 days. After the first week, I felt so much better. I actually felt some shape around my behind and I love it:):) That motivates me to keep doing it; it is not as painful as running and it actually makes me feel so alive and happy. My body feels vitality and my thoughts have become more positive.
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Yay you! I hope those new positive feelings motivate you to keep walking. Take care. xo
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I loved this post because I heard my mother’s voice in it. One of her constants was “Learn what you can from your mistake and then move on.” I had forgotten that particular mantra until I read this practical, supportive, and positive piece.
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I’m glad it struck a note for you. I also like the idea that we shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. We should strive to make new mistakes.
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