It was actually my and my husband's one year anniversary this past Sunday - we cannot even begin to believe a whole year has gone by since our beautiful wedding! We celebrated it up quite a bit this weekend, tried to rally to go out 3 days in a row but it was a struggle. I'd say the highlight of our weekend was getting to do a shot of fernet on our actual anniversary with the lovely server from jmCurley who was the server for our wedding's after-party, luckily she still works there! We also had an absurdly perfect meal and experience on Friday night at Café ArtScience in Cambridge, more on that deliciousness another day soon!
This weekend was definitely indulgent! I will say, however, that every day I walked more than 10k, sometimes even more than 15k steps, which definitely helped offset some of my rich meals and tasty cocktails. As my friends have all lovingly pointed out, it was our anniversary, we were celebrating!
Fast forward to Monday, Memorial Day. I didn't indulge as badly as maybe I could have, but I did have a burger and hotdog...and macaroni salad. Ugh but it's so good and I rarely eat it! I felt gross. I felt unattractive. I felt like I completely failed at being mindful and remembering to eat in moderation for the whole 4 day weekend I had.
I was wallowing in my own pity and self-loathing. But what good is that going to do? I remembered what I had read in this amazing book I recently purchased, The Beauty Detox Power: negative thinking can actually keep you squishy/soft and prevent you from losing weight. Kimberly writes that thoughts can actually shape your body (pg 35) - whaaaat?! Take a moment and reflect on this: how many times have you said, "I can't do X" or "I'm gross" or "I'm fat and out of shape" and nothing every happens? These thoughts usually prevent us from going to do a workout and instead shame us into eating something or engaging in some type of, dare I say, lazy lethargic anhedonic act (mind the pun) to comfort these feelings.
Instead, what if we allow ourselves a moment to notice these thoughts - not engage them, but notice them. I acknowledge that I can hear myself saying, "ugh, that was such an unhealthy weekend now look at your belly, blegh, my goodness!" But then I let it go, and I counteract it with something positive, something more healthy. Maybe I tell myself, "it's ok, you were celebrating, you have been doing such a great job and will get right back on track come Tuesday!" Any time my mind goes to that negative place, I bring myself back into the present and counteract that negative with a positive. Try it! Any time you say something negative to yourself, immediately counteract it with a positive. See how you feel.
Another thing, you might be wondering why I mentioned my steps earlier (I blame my lovely coworkers for this new step obsession). On days where I plan on indulging a little bit, it can make such a difference going on a nice long walk for some exercise if it's a day that maybe I don't make it to the gym. My husband and I are fortunate to live in a major city, but going on a nice long walk in a suburban neighborhood is also just as lovely. For something different, maybe break out the yoga mat and do a few poses and vinyasas, or even do a few planks throughout the day. It's always good to also drink a few extra ounces (or liter) of water. When I've had maybe one too many cocktails the night prior, I make sure to down a coconut water for a beautiful rejuvenation. You'd be surprised, but doing little things like this can make you feel less negative about indulging, and it can also help keep you more in line to avoid overindulging. Obviously it's always good to be mindful when eating, to avoid getting too carried away, and avoid restricting if it's something that doesn't work for you (it doesn't work for me...I become like a ravenous murder-bunny when I don't let myself have a specific craving!). Find what works for you and own it!
xx
S