How I got derailed/back on Track

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
How I got derailed/back on Track
4
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 4:13pm

I've noticed that we all seem to have a lot of events in our lives that 'derail' us. Some we can't easily anticipate (like loss of loved one) but others are actually predictable - like not getting remembered like we wanted to on a holiday, illness (can't predict when but you know its gonna get you sooner or later), anniversaries of sad events, general disappointment (again, don't know what or when, but its bound to happen) etc.

It's hard in the moment to think of how to prevent 'cookie therapy' from seeming like a good solution, but I wonder if we could brainstorm some 'derailments' and what we could have done better so we have some ammunition for next time.

For me, my trainer, who has always been very reliable, seems to be going through some personal stuff and needing to cancel/reschedule at the last minute. Since I plan out what I am going to do at the beginning of the week, when this happens I feel like 'OK, I'll just skip the gym tonight' and then I go home early and spend time that I am usualy exercising cruising around the kitchen - and I'm not just window shopping!

I expect this is temporary, so 'new trainer' isn't my choice right now, but I know that I need to build into my plan that he will likely want to change things and bring work out clothes (ie swimsuit) even on days I don't expect to swim...and to think of a few alternate gym activities because I don't like doing the same thing two days in a row.

I'd be interested in your recent 'derailment' stories and possible strategies for 'next time'

Somehow, I thought this would get easier, and I have to say, this week it just isn't!
SJ
225-169-135

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 3:46pm

SJ! I love this thread! Thanks for keeping us thinking. I'm convinced that a long range/lifetime solution is the only answer. I've yo-yoed too many times in my 44 years, and I'm certain that there is a balance out there, I just have to unlock it.

I'm at this board because last Valentine's Day my dad fell unexpectedly ill of a rare viral infection and passed away six weeks later. In February 2006 I was down a couple of pounds in my annual campaign of "Gotta lose it because I'm tired of buying big clothes" (etc). My dad and I were incredibly, BLESSEDLY close! When I lost him the grief was overwhelming (says she typing through tears even now). Man, I told myself that if ever there was a time to eat, that was it. He passed away in late March and I spent the next few months being lazy and treating myself to everything I could find. I list my top weight as 252, but I'm sure it was higher I was just too cowardly to weigh in until I got on track.

What changed? LIke a lightning bolt it hit me that this was a horrible way to remember my health-conscious dad! He was just over 6 feet tall and weighed 180 when he checked into the hospital! He walked two miles on his treadmill every day! His doctor called him the healthiest diabetic he'd ever known. A part of me initially thought: See where being healthy got him. He died a "healthy" 80 year old. When the light went on I realized that he lived FULLY because of his good health, because of his care with diet and focus on exercise.

One of the things that really gets me back in line is remembering that if he hadn't been so diligent he probably wouldn't have seen 80. To knock me out of my funk it helps to do something completely unselfish. (I volunteer at a women's shelter, cook food for homeless people, shop for food for the food bank, do something for the pure delight of my kids and their little friends.) The last time a funk set in, I dragged my broken arse onto the treadmill and pushed and pushed for 3 miles. (I think I posted about this one.) I felt so much better afterwards.

My goal is to keep doing the small stuff--all the annoying, niggling parts of this until it becomes habit. (Parking a few extra spots away from the store, drinking another glass of water, passing on treats, adding an extra 2 or 3 minutes to every workout.) Something's gotta click, right?

Annie

A
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2006
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 7:54pm

I think the biggest derailer for me is going to visit my parents...because



it's a 10 hour drive (1 way)

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 8:34am

Sometimes I think there's one around each corner waiting to hit me when I pass by! Ok here are

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 11:39am

Whew!