10 things to think about if you've fallen off the wagon

It may have happened. One fell swoop and the next thing you know, you’ve fallen off of the wagon and into a vat of puddings. You felt guilt, you are now mourning your perfect dieting run, cheat-free up until this moment.

You later realize you didn’t even enjoy the experience. If you didn’t even enjoy the experience.

Here are some things to think about:

1. Are you missing nutrients in your way of eating? The body has a way of craving what it needs when it feels it needs it. If you’re eating a very low-potassium diet, it’s amazing how much the body can crave a banana. We think of it as merely wanting fruit, but the body knows what it wants. Make sure you are eating healthfully, exercising, seeing your doctor for questions or concerns, and taking vitamins and nutrients!

2. Are you eating enough? Even when we don’t really think about it, feeling hungry, deprived or following a particularly rough patch in your plan can lead to an opposite physiological response. Shake things up by trying some new menus and foods (careful to stick to plan!)

3. “That time of the month” can also cause issues with blood sugar wooblies causing cravings I know! It’s an ewww for the guys out there, but hormones can cause all manner of cravings. Be aware of cravings and be prepared! Knowing, logically, what the problem is can help you be prepared for the event each month!

4. Your fat cells want to hang onto fat for reasons of survival. If you’ve yoyo dieted before, your body might be trying to save for another ‘famine’. The best way to fight this? Show those fat cells you mean business with a one-two pow to the kisser! Sticking to a plan for the long-term will show those fat cells you mean business!

5. You have stressors that you are medicating with food, rather than dealing with appropriately. Easy to say, right? But here goes:

Are you tired? Sleep.
Sngry? Write a scathing letter you never intend to send.
Sad? Cry

Many times we eat as an emotional response and not a practical one. In eating, we further foment the plan that eating is important as a solution, when in the end it only leads to a blood sugar crash, creating worse feelings. And, if you’re like me, think of the other problems you have when you eat too many cabrohydrates! I know my legs crawl at night. You don’t want to feel sick, either! Stick to plan. you can do it!

6. Are you bored? Nervous? Take action! Find a book or hobby you enjoy. Nervous about something? Take action. Use that nervous energy to accomplish something.

7. Sabotaging efforts? This could be an issue of feeling worthless, listening to old brain-computer programs telling you what’s the point? Rewire that thinking to positive thoughts rather than thoughts of frustration and reaction.

Action always beats reaction. Reaction is largely emotional. Action is practical.

8. Was it an avoidable cheat? Did you end up out for dinner for your birthday as every year and expect different results? Holidays and events should be about making memories with people and not eating. The next time people want to take you out for your birthday, choose to go bowling instead of out for pizza! You all get exercise, and enjoy memories rather than feeling sick the next day from carb hangover.

9. Have you been feeling emotional? Did you know that estrogen is released when fat is burned? A lot of people don’t know this, and can’t attribute emotional response to a temporary physiological phenomenon. So, if you are feeling emotional and ready to give in the towel, your estrogen is talking to you! Give her a hug, point and yell, “LOOK! George Clooney!” and run the other direction.

10. Plan. What causes the cheat? Plan ahead for the next instance. Always have a plan. Keep note cards with strategies for all of the reasons you ever fall off the wagon. when you feel helpless and your brain isn’t functioning the way it should in those circumstances, draw out the card that gives you ideas for ways to avert a binge. It works!

Planning and thinking before acting can make a huge difference on your way of eating.