What's Stopping You Now? (How to Get Back on the Low Carb Wagon)

I read a post on Dr. Mike's blog about of friend of his that got off track with her low carbing for a while, and how she found her way back. If you haven't read it, it's well worth the time: Meditating in the Garden of Self-Loathing. It has the ring of recognizability to many folks, I suspect.

It's telling the story so many of us can repeat with different details: she wasn't doing her LC plan, but she couldn't tell you why.  There was always this little thing or that little thing, whatever it was, getting in the way. Sound familiar? It did to me. So lets look at what's going on and, better yet, how to move past it.

Personally, I suspect this is phase two of the Low Carb Detour that trips up even some long-term, dedicated and smart low carbers. Phase one is carb creep, perhaps bargaining ("Just a little won't hurt"), getting slowly more frequent until you're not exactly low carbing much at all...you still know it's right and believe in low carb. You still have the faith, sisters and brothers. But you're not practicing it.

So you feel guilty. You chastise yourself, and maybe get disgusted. And feeling as crummy and out-of-control as you do, you soothe that burn with a little more junk, followed by promises you'll restart "soon." You even mean it. But somehow, soon never gets here.

How about that, huh? Well, why not do something, then? Now is soon, after all. You want to get back on that wagon? Here are some easy-to-follow tips for low carbers wanting to get back on track. Mix and match. Pick whatever appeals to you and get started already, for goodness sakes!  You've got a life to live, y'kno.

• Start improving your habits, what shape they may be in, right this minute. You don't have to exercise three hours a day to see an improvement. Fifteen minutes of activity is, however, an improvement over none, and probably manageable. Maybe your eating isn't clean yet, but you can start avoiding the worst of the worst junk, right? Even if you're not fully back in the LC swing yet, you can get the ingredients for some of your LC favorites and add them to your menu rotation, huh? You don't have to be full-gun low carb to start making improvements in your eating and habits.
• Stop asking yourself what's "wrong" with you. There's no inherent flaw in someone's character that causes detours. It can be a lot of things at core. Stress, illness, injury, business, family, whatever. You know? Any combination thereof. There are myriads of reasons people have detours. The guilt-tripping just makes it harder to keep your attitude positive. By now, you know that's crucial, right? 'Cause it is, man!
• Take care of your needs (both physical and emotional). I harp on this, because I think self-care is usually the first item on our schedule to get cut and the last to be restored. Like in the story, commitments to others always take precedence. What a waste that is: when we care for our own needs, we are SO much better equipped to help others, it's just a no-brainer if you think it through.
• Set the stage for success. What helped you before? Did you cook ahead? Have some favorite snacks on hand? Haul around your favorite water jug everywhere? Happily while away the hours perusing low carb recipes? You don't have to be in the zone to start doing some of the stuff that helped you stay there.
• Start knocking down obstacles. Look at what situations seem to be creating the most problems for you, and start there. If your friends have dessert at their get-togethers, start bringing a second, carb-friendlier option. (Others may appreciate this as well.) If you can't pass your spouse's goodies, buy them a flavor or type you don't like. If you tend to overeat when you're tired or stressed, start addressing the tired and stressed part, and the eating part falls into line.
• Stop call sugar-encrusted junk food "treats." I know this is how we've referred to them for years. I do it sometimes, too. But when what you're really treating yourself to is a wider posterior, is "treat" really how you want to label it? Would it sound as appealing if we called it "a cellulite bomb" instead of "a delicious donut hole"? Connect what you're eating with what it creates mentally. If it's not low carb, I'm done calling it a treat, because being overweight is NOT a treat to me!
• Remember: It wasn't that hard when you were on plan. Remind yourself of this. I know of almost no one who has eaten LC for any length of time who found it nearly as difficult as they anticipated beforehand. With the variety of plans and incredible imaginative creations from LC cooks, there is no excuse to be bored or unsatisfied with your food. Developing workable habits takes some time and effort initially, but soon become second nature.
• Reread your plan. There will be stuff you've forgotten, and just reviewing the material helps build your motivation and resolve.
• Participate in a community (like LCE). Even if you're not currently eating well, interacting with others who are will help energize you. Seeing what they are talking about will also help remind you, both of the tricks of the trade, and why you decided to do it in the first place.
• Think about the people who love and count on you. While people always say "you have to lose weight for yourself," considering people we love can be some of the most powerful motivation there is. Staying healthy and strong allows you to look forward to a longer, brighter future with your loved ones. Setting a good example for your kids may significantly alter their own lifestyle and health.
• Look for progress and celebrate it. Perfection isn't necessary (and it's quest often becomes nothing more than a fancy method of avoidance). Any progress contributes positively to the sum total. There is no improvement that's too small to build upon.
• Don't stop. If I had to sum up the secret to any and all low carb success in two words, those are the two! The only real failure is to give up on improving your health and your life. You're coherent enough to read this article? Then you've still got some kick left.
• Focus on what you've got. A life of denial and restriction gets old fast. A life of enthusiasm and anticipation doesn't. While this obviously applies to your menu, if you actually focus your attention on what you like about the rest of your life, too, it will help you be a happier person as well as a happier low-carber.

You know what? For many, this IS just another part of the journey. So treat it that way. Be kind to yourself and build yourself up. Give yourself permission to address your own needs, and remember that eating well is one of those needs that pays off so many ways. Encourage yourself along the same way you would a beloved friend, and you can't go too far astray.

And welcome back home.