Falling Off The Wagon - The Candyland Theory

I remember once, writing to a woman in the UK, who was really loathing herself for "falling off the wagon" on her diet. She was on a typical low-fat diet, btw... and really struggling with it... well... she wanted a bunch of stuff one night. It was a birthday party, or some such thing. She ate what she wanted, didn't totally stuff herself, and had a great time.

Then she got home, and just totally fell apart with guilt.... She wrote me, really beating herself up... she was MERCILESS! She was "awful", a "glutton", "weak", and just plain "bad".

I told her, there is no such thing as a "bad" food, really. There IS, however, such a thing as a bad eating pattern, bad habits, and things that in excess are not good for you, foods that your body can't tolerate, foods that have low nutritional value, and even filling your life with food, instead of, well, living it....

My theory is: One day is not going to kill you...

If you eat something that "diet lore" has traditionally said was "bad", ask yourself three things, was I hungry? - did I enjoy it? - and - did I stuff myself? If the answers are Yes, Yes and No, you're fine!!! 

Even if it was "comfort eating", or falling into some old patterns - fine!!! You are now consciously aware of the situation! And awareness is the key to winning the battle! With this awareness, you can DO something about your feelings, now, instead of just absent-mindedly eating. Don't beat yourself up! Just don't keep doing that kind of thing. 

If you fall off the horse, what are you supposed to immediately do?? Get back on, right?? Not cry, or wait until a "better" day, but right then, right there, get back on!

You ever play Candyland? My son had this game, and we'd play it a lot. The first time we played, I was forging steadily ahead. I was looking sure to win. He got sent back time after time, to the beginning, or to other spots way, way behind... and he was about ready to throw the board at me! But I calmed him down, and we kept playing, and he ended up winning!! I think that day taught him a couple of important lessons. 

• Things aren't always as bad as they seem. 

• A setback isn't necessarily a failure. 

• Keeping calm in the face of a challenge is important. 

• Perseverance pays off, big time!!

• It is completely possible have to start all over from the beginning and still win.
  
  
  I think we can learn a LOT from little kids!
  
  Take care,
  
  Lisa