Tripped up again by a variety of unsteady pieces of the weight loss puzzle, I hit speed bumps that slow me down, forcing me to pause and contemplate the journey’s continued lessons. Observation offers constant improvement, failure’s lessons guide the journey’s sustainability. Although sleep deprivation, imbalanced blood sugar levels, and emotional and physical stress cause my journey to stumble, these preventative predicaments of the body’s equilibrium are countered, minimized, and knowingly allowed to interrupt the process. Choices to circumvent their interruptions is ultimately about self care and self respect.
Choosing an earlier bedtime, creating an atmosphere for quality sleep, and repeating this process daily is self care. When eating every few hours, choosing balanced meals always including protein to prevent an imbalance of blood sugar level spikes, we stimulate an equilibrium that thwarts cravings, instability, and mindless decision making. Minimizing emotional stress by choosing new mindsets, practicing shame resilience through self compassion and support, and changing the story we tell ourselves, guides the body to positive, healthy food choices. Finally reducing the physical stress through constant self care is imperative to balanced well being.
Too often I stay awake watching television, reading into the night, or numbingly finding all types of activity to keep me busy, when sleep’s necessity awaits. Too often without proper planning, missed breakfasts occur, healthy food is not a grab-and-go option, and unmindful of the repercussions, it is eleven o’clock, my blood sugar levels are shaky, and risk of overeating, cravings, and famished effects take hold, altering my potential success. Too often emotional and physical triggers set off an old reaction to consume unhealthy food to ease pain, when the solution to speak with a supportive listener, rest the body, stretch, and relax, to feel and release the hurt diminishes the effects.
Although life happens and these practices may be beyond our control, choosing wisely when within our power is what tips the scale in our favor. Self care requires vigilance, reaching intended goals through action. Respecting ourselves is taking responsible action, learning from our failures, and utilizing our resources. Once we learn what helps and hinders our success, proactive choices become the support we require, where speed bumps disappear, and full speed ahead becomes normal routine. Maintaining equilibrium, balanced sugar levels and energy, alleviating emotional and physical triggers, is necessary to motor forward successfully. Speed bumps necessitate change. Drive around them by choosing your actions wisely.