How do you measure success? How do you measure setbacks? I ask because, this holiday season, I fell hard off the proverbial wagon. And I don’t mean, oh I had an extra slice of pie. This was a full on, flat-on-my-ass kind of fall. I ate anything that wasn’t nailed down, I indulged in southern cuisine flavored with fat and sugar, out of convenience I consumed processed and preservative infused fast-food, and I ate ALL DAY LONG. The struggle was real, but not until the after math; during the binge, it was quite effortless.
In my high school wrestling room, there was a quote on the wall that said “Practice makes permanent. Perfect practice make perfect.” Now one of the messages from this was to care about your practice enough to not cut corners and “get it right” so you get it right in your match. I like the other message which is to not give up on the practice.
My sugar addiction has such a hold on me; I have battled with it my whole life. I could focus on all the times I have failed. I used to measure my success and failure in this way. Instead, I have changed my attitude to focus on the positive. I celebrate the little wins. When I fall, I don’t let it define me nor do I surrender and let the whole day be ruined. I get right back up and try again. Once I consciously chose this attitude the most amazing thing happened: my body became sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. The little spurts of eating healthy started to feel like the norm and the binge sessions on sugar have begun to feel toxic.
The holiday eating this year was a hard fall! I acknowledged it, paid the price physically, but I did not let shame creep in. Now I have been a month without refined sugar. This feels great on so many levels. Health wise, my blood sugar isn’t crashing midday and no more brain fog. I an no longer bloated. I no longer have a habit I need to support financially. Plus I feel like I have accomplished something; overcoming an addiction is no small feat! The reason it feels so good is not because I have perfected it; it is the fact that despite my moments of weakness, I persisted. Not judging any falls, simply getting back up and trying again.
Where in your life have you struggled with achieving a goal? Is there a goal you are ready to commit to? Message me and share your thoughts.
Wing Woman 