Last month my husband and I went on vacation to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
We ate, drank and were merry.
I’m talking all-you-can-eat buffet, ice cream in the middle of the day “just because” and decadent three course meals.
We take vacations like this every couple of years and I always enjoy them fully, eating in a way I almost never do at home.
I have not one iota of guilt about eating my face off on vacation.
It was a vacation.
When we returned home, I did not continue to stuff my face or eat cookies in the afternoon lounging by the pool.
Vacations are not normal life.
They are, by definition, special.
So are birthdays, anniversaries and special events.
They are the exception, not the rule. Therefore, they are to be enjoyed. They should be “special.”
You are not expected to eat perfectly on your vacation (have fun!!! enjoy it!!) and you should NOT skip the cake (and more) on your birthday (indulge!!)
Your anniversary party probably should involve a few treats you don’t eat on the daily, and maybe a drink, or two.
This is fine!!
But Monday is not a party. Your birthday isn’t every day for a week. Your vacation will end.
It is what you do most of the time which matters most.
So often we spend all this time fretting about the one week we went off the rails while in Cabo instead of focusing on the other 51 weeks of the year when we can and should be consistent with our workouts and healthy eating.
One week isn’t going to be a deal breaker if the other 51 are good. Even if 45 of them are good and seven weeks are off, still not a deal breaker!
Trying to be 100% perfect only sets you up to fail 100% of the time.
You can’t be perfect, neither can I. Don’t let perfect stand in the way of good.
Go on vacation then come home and return to your healthy eating.
Celebrate the heck out of your birthday and don’t eat cake the day after.
Indulge at the anniversary party then eat totally clean Monday.
We can miss a week (or two! or three!) of workouts for whatever reason and come back to gym and pick up where we left off.
Focus on the rule – the MOST of the time – rather than stressing over the exception – the rare occasions, the parties, the celebrations – allow yourself room to fall off but climb back on – and you’ll find consistency.
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