Are You Using Speed Bumps as Stop Signs?

"Fall seven times, get up eight." - Japanese Proverb

It's hard to believe but we're already 6 weeks into 2010. Do those New Year's resolutions seem like a distant memory? Has the determination to live a healthier life already been shoved to the back of your mind as soon as you finished putting away the holiday decorations? Has your passion for changing your life been sucked away like water draining out of a bathtub?

February is a tough time for New Year's resolutions as this is when most people's new found resolve really drops off. I especially notice this effect in the gym when the numbers start to drop off and you don't have to challenge someone to a cage match in order to get some time on a treadmill.

Trying to maintain our healthy resolutions in the DC area has been especially difficult since we were slammed by not one but 2 blizzards in less than a week. Being trapped in our houses on and off for days with the only entertainment besides shoveling mainly involving sitting and eating has definitely been a challenge. Even going to restock up on healthy items at the grocery store has been difficult as the produce section was practically bare as delivery trucks couldn't get in to provide new stock. Just the sight of empty shelves is enough to make anyone want to hoard fresh lettuce and dance triumphantly in the aisle when scoring the last of the broccoli. The blizzards have definitely been a major speed bump to many people who are trying to stay on track.

So even if you weren't trapped in your house due to a blizzard, maybe you hit some speed bumps in terms of eating healthy and used them as stop signs to abandon your good intentions. After finishing off a bag of chips, you may think: "Well I ate some chips. I might as well keep going with the cookies and ice cream." The problem with this "all or nothing" way of thinking is that is allows us to continue overeating by giving ourselves permission to keep marching down an unhealthy path.

Speed bumps in healthy eating happen to all of us. It's what you do after hitting a detour that matters the most.

So even if you ate your way through the DC snowpocalyse, you have the power to stop, regroup, and get back on track. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stop and ask yourself: "What can I do today to get back to a healthy lifestyle?"

Maybe it's getting out to exercise or having fruit and yogurt for a snack instead of cookies or having some veggies with your dinner. Taking a small step is often enough to get you headed in the right direction again and make you feel empowered. You have the power to change your life. I know you can do it. And as always I'm here to help if you find that your speed bumps keep transforming into stop signs.