Photo by Erol Ahmad for Unsplash
In high school I once got an F on an algebra report card. (Not proud.)
I knew my parents would freak.
(Deep breath.) So I turned that F into a B avoiding my parents’ meltdown. (Really, really not proud.)
Later, I tore that subterfuge into a jillion little pieces, and stuffed them into my jewelry box where they sit to this day — 41 years later.
I still get nervous when I accidentally run across them.
If Only School Taught This
Point is, we’re not taught how to fail and then how to right our own ship.
We’re not taught that failing again and again makes us stronger, and that persevering with determination is one of the best character traits we can develop. Ever.
We’re never reminded of Edison famously saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
The Importance of Plan 2.0
We’ve all long asked: how can I stop myself from slipping (once called cheating)?
Thing is, everybody slips off the smart eating path (because we’re human and our food-world is on steroids).
A much better question is: After I’ve slipped, how do I get back on my smart eating path?
That said, create a strong and reliable Plan 2.0 for yourself. And please, don’t just keep your individual Plan B in your mind. Actually write out your entire back-up plan.
Having a written Plan 2.0 where we can see it everyday is a key to forever weight loss.
Here’s my individual back-up plan:
One
Let’s say, I find The Scarfer’s stash of chocolate. Before I slip, I tell myself, I can eat anything I want, as long as I first read the nutrition labels. No label on the little chocolate eggs? So then I remind myself that I have to google the nutrition on those little guys. This is the deal I struck with myself.
I came up with this plan when I accidentally glimpsed the calorie count on the back of a Ben and Jerry’s. Good Lord. (It’s like spending too much money on vacation only to return home to a horrific VISA bill.)
Two
Let’s say I eat the junky food. My Plan 2.0 says, “take two inspirational podcast episodes and call me in the morning.”
And this is exactly what I do. I have a list of music, Netflix shows, and podcasts that put me into a different frame of mind. Also, if I’m overeating at night I grab a good book and head upstairs to brush my teeth and read in bed. I remind myself that I’ll feel much better in the morning.
And I always do.
Bottom line, I have a real Plan B that works wonders in helping me to contain the damage. I have a safety net of sorts. I stop the free fall of poor eating habits.
I don’t tend to slip in the daytime, but if I do it’s usually because I’m bored. My Plan 2.0 outlines what to do when life gets old. Don’t underestimate how being bored can send you straight to the Oreo’s. Create a Plan 2.0 and stick to it. Keep it front-and-center where you’ll see it daily.
Notice what I don’t do when I slip: I don’t beat myself up, call myself names and spin into the hopeless/helpless zone. Not only do I contain the caloric-damage, but I contain the emotional-damage too.
Three
The morning after a binge, I get right back onto my smart eating path — keeping in mind that slips are just part of life — and am extra gentle with myself the entire day. After slipping, I’ve bought flowers for my desk, once had a pedi, and another time let myself get cozy on the couch with a book during “work hours.”
You’ve Got This
Now for the fun part.
Take creating your own Plan 2.0 seriously. Journal-write about it and admit to yourself how — and in what quantity — slips happen in your life. (Good place to say: If specific foods are a problem, ban them from the house for the next year or ten.)
Plan how you’ll recover and only include plans that you can actually envision yourself doing. Plan 2.0s involve — like I said — flowers for your desk or kitchen, mani/pedis, cute new tops, a hair trim, and you get the gist. The last thing you should do is beat yourself up. In fact, the very opposite.
We’ve had it backwards the whole time. We thought slipping meant we should yell at ourselves when really it’s the most important moment to have our own backs.
No, It’s Not Just You
Remember it’s not your imagination. Losing and maintaining is rough. And after fifty? Rough squared. But with Plan 2.0 in place you now have a tool that you can count on forever.
In the comment below, share your most annoying slip behavior. When do you slip? Day? Night? At work? Weekend? And so forth. I’d love to hear from you.
♥, Wendy
P.S. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!
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22 Comments
I love this! Definitely “brutal squared”!!
It’s been an eye-opener to experience maintenance at 56. Thanks for reading Friend in Lodi!!
I needed this today. Thank you.
Oh, I’m so happy it’s helpful Lauren. You are such a supporter.
W.
Well, I appreciate this bit of honesty.
That everyone slips up, but we don’t have to beat ourselves up over it. I like the focus of doing something positive to change my mindset. Very good idea.
Gonna have to try this.
Thanks
Laurie
Ridge Haven Homestead
Homestead Blog Hop
Thank you Laurie! I think being kind to ourselves is “the new black.” Beating ourselves up never made sense.
Thank you for writing!
Wendy
Wendy, this is great. I love your insights and encouragement within. Thank you for sharing this blessed message. Blessings.
Visiting from Inspire Me Monday #5
Thank you Paula! I love Inspire Me Monday!
Thanks for writing!
Wendy
Wonder acknowledgement of our weakness AND our counteracting strength!
**WONDERFUL**
You’re awesome!
Wendy
I like how you say “counteracting strength!”
Wendy
THESE COOKIES LOOK FABULOUS.
Aren’t they pretty?! You’ll find them on Etsy at IcedCookiesArt
Thanks for writing Rebecca!
Wendy
WOW thanks so much for sharing your post at our Senior Salon Pit Stop.
Pinned to Senior Salon Pit Stop InLinkz Linkup Shares board and tweeted @EsmeSalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
Wow back! Thank You.
Wendy
Enjoyed visiting your blog (visiting from Inspire me Monday). It’s so true that losing and maintaining is hard. As I write this, it’s Thanksgiving Day when it’s almost expected to overeat the feast set before us. I heard once it’s not Thanksgiving to Christmas that we need to worry about gaining a lot of unwanted weight and making healthy choices. But it’s about Christmas to Thanksgiving, the longer time period, that makes the biggest difference.
Thank you for visiting! Everything you said times one hundred!! 🙂
Wendy
Rough squared. So true! We take one day at a time, doing the very best we can for today.
You said it, Joanna, one day at time.
Thanks for writing!
W.
Oh Wendy – this is my life! 🙂 Being the ‘human-brain-and-why-we-act-like-we-do’ student that I am though, the thing that fascinated me most about your report card story was that you still have the pieces. 🙂 I love your honesty and your resolve, my friend. You are a true inspiration, and my Plan B includes reading your brilliant ideas. THANK YOU!
Hi Barbara! I’m surprised I have the pieces too. You are so supportive. You’re my inspiration. — W