Part 1: Have You Gone "Off-The-Rails"?

There's a shadowy secret villain working against your weight-loss journey.

Has this ever happened to you?

You're heading out to eat with a few friends. You're thinking "I want to see another loss on the scale this week. I'm getting the salad and the grilled chicken, and that's IT! I've been on a roll lately."

You arrive, you hug your friends hello, and suddenly, you're letting your Social-Self out. Your brain says "NO" to the basket of bread on the table, but your hands are in the basket anyway (after all, your friends are doing the same). You browse the menu, and in the back of your mind you hear the echoes of "salad and grilled chicken!" but you hear yourself ordering a cocktail and the sandwich+french-fry combo.

In the past, you've been able to stop halfway through your meal, assess your fullness levels, and take some of your entree home. But for some reason, you blow past the halfway point and finish off your plate, as well as the leftover appetizers getting cold on the table.

In the past, you've been able to enjoy one drink and let that satisfy you. But tonight, you're chatting, you're catching up, you're laughing, and you don't want the evening to end. You hear yourself order a few more drinks before you pay the check and say goodbye.

At some point (on the ride home, or when you're lying in bed, or maybe the next morning), you suddenly have the thought: "Wow. I really went off-the-rails."

Next, your brain goes into overdrive.

"Why do I always do this? I was on a roll, and now I've ruined it. I know what happens next: I lose my momentum, and I'm back to my old ways. I just un-did so many weeks of work. The scale is NOT going to cooperate. Other people seem to just do what they want, with no drama. Why does this feel so hard for me?"

As soon as those thoughts rattle around, your mood plummets, and your energy is gone. Workouts feel harder. The bed feels cozier. Your prepped lunch sounds boring. Everything is tinged by a feeling of guilt, shame, or frustration. Before you know it, you've started a few weeks of Avoidance-Mode.

What is Avoidance-Mode?

You know this mode! It's when your good habits don't happen, you ignore your larger goals, and you avoid all thoughts about trying to get healthier or achieve a lower or happier weight.

What do we normally do about this?

We feel that if we can prevent another "Off-The-Rails" Day from happening, we'll get out of the pattern. But what if I told you that the "Off-The-Rails" Day isn't the enemy?

It's kind-of like Star Wars. (I know; silly analogies. But bear with me!)

"Off-The-Rails" Day is like Darth Vader. You spend 2 1/2 movies thinking he is the ultimate enemy.

But then you learn that Darth Vader is really just a pawn. You discover that it’s evil Darth Sidious who is pulling ALL the strings behind the scenes. That’s Avoidance-Mode!

And if you can defeat Avoidance-Mode, an "Off-The-Rails" Day loses all of its power to affect you.

How do we defeat Avoidance-Mode?

Well first, give up the idea that you can banish "Off-The-Rails" Days. That's impossible. It's not how life works! In fact, I bet some of your Off-The-Rails Days are super-memorable, and you wouldn't change them for anything.

Instead, your power lies in creating an Action Plan that lets you enjoy the day, give thanks, and move right back into your normal healthy habits.

Here are your Takeaways:

1) Having an "Off-the-Rails" Day is 100% a normal part of life, not the enemy.

2) Avoidance-Mode is the true culprit behind you not reaching your goals.

3) An Action Plan can help you skip over Avoidance-Mode, and pave the way from an "Off-The-Rails" Day right back into your normal healthy habits.

Stay tuned later this week, because I'll be sharing how to create your own personal Action Plan. Avoidance-Mode can be a thing of the past, and you have the power to make it happen!

Do you need help with this?

If you need a partner to guide you through discovering your own personal portions and energy balance (even when “Off-The’Rails” Days happen), my 1-on-1 coaching program is for you.

Can’t wait to connect!