We all get to this place at some point. What do you do when you have a good routine going, you are making progress and all of a sudden other areas of your life need a lot of attention? It can fall apart.
Taking care of yourself, along with prepping food, meditating, exercising, taking supplements and those dietary goals aren't the focus anymore and your plans fall away.
It feels like we are on a cycle again. Could it all have been a waste of time? All you think of is how you're backsliding on all your painful efforts to make successful changes to be healthier.
So what's next when we get to this place? Work is busy and you're exhausted, co-workers are out sick and there are deadlines. Your schedule is packed. There's a huge trip and it's not easy to exercise and cook. The motivation just isn't there anymore. Do we just wait until the storm passes?
Here's the thing- We go through cycles.
This downward trend where we aren't motivated is part of the cycle. It's really uncomfortable. We want so much to get out of this place. This needs to be different than diet on versus diet is off and the usual weight cycling.
First, don't ignore your circumstance and give yourself the permission to be out of routine. Of course what you were doing before takes so much time and effort. It has to be OK to take a break or shift gears.
Next, have you taken a second look at your behaviors when you're in this situation? Don't ignore these things just because you consider them to be "bad" just because they don't line up with your old goals. If the behaviors you notice are overeating, overindulgent, skipping meals, and so on, realize that you are screaming for attention. Don't ignore it. Can you notice the part of you that needs compassion- from you? The part that is worried and uncomfortable and needs more from you. Can we just tell this part of you that this situation is hard and you deserve a break and that you'll come up with a plan.
Lastly, what focus can you bring to yourself in these stressful times? We need some brand new short term goals. What is on the backburner that needs to be a priority so you can meet your needs and feel more in control of your hectic day? These need to be the goals you can meet and help you feel empowered despite your circumstance.
When motivations return and circumstances change, you can hit the ground running again. Meanwhile, let the transition and downcycle be a time of rest. Stay in a good place with yourself and use the experience to help you decide what your new goals will be when you find the time and motivation again.
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