I have seen so many posts on the newsfeed here that reflect two similar themes: find what works for you - and - consistency is better than an intense sprint. These are definitely two things I have taken to heart this week. This is not all-or-nothing, this is a journey of LIFE!
I think back to how intense I would go in the past, for just about 2 weeks usually, leading up to my quitting point. Often it would consist of attempting a gluten-free or low-carb diet while also burning 500 calories in the gym a day. It was not sustainable for me, but instead of reevaluating what wasn't working, I would dive headlong back into what I was doing before... no exercise and a bad diet.
I know this time that there are a few things that make a healthy lifestyle very diffiicult for me. One, is counting calories religiously. I've done it before, with great success. It helps me stay accountable. Yet, it also makes me obsessed and burnt out so quickly. I counted calories to a T the first week of this new year, and dropped a couple pounds (as expected). It helped me remember serving sizes. But now, I am switching to eating similar things, in similar serving sizes, but not logging calories quite as rigorously.
I have also chosen to work out every day, but I am also agreeing with myself that I won't break my neck every time I "show up" if that day feels like more of a rest day. Simply taking a walk is still "showing up!"
The moral of this post is that I am doing what works FOR ME! And anyone who happens across this post, just make sure you SLOW DOWN and EVALUATE what works for you. Not just once, but every single week. Is something not working for you? Change it. Are you about to throw your hands up in defeat? Look at what isn't working and change it!
This is a declaration to myself that I will continue on this journey, even if I hit some bumps and fall into some potholes along the way. I refuse to just fall back into old habits blindly. I will eat naughty things in moderation. It's not the end-all to my journey. This is not black and white thinking, this is LIFE!!