Breezy Days: How to Overcome Clean Living Guilt

Pages

June 14, 2013

How to Overcome Clean Living Guilt

Since moving back to CA for the summer, I made a promise to myself to make a lifestyle change. A real change, for good. Drink more water, use portion control, sleep 6-8 hours {not like that was an issue before, I probably sleep too much}, eat more fruits/veggies, and get my body moving 4-5 times a week. Honestly, I feel like I've been doing MUCH better than past attempts; I've already lost a few pounds, feel stronger when doing my workouts, and I sleep better at night! 

I use the My Fitness Pal app religiously in keeping track of my calorie intake & workouts...then we hit the weekend. Where Ryan gets off earlier on Saturdays {which is when we usually go out to eat & I actually get to see him} then we do amazing Sunday dinners at my parents....all this partying means that I also don't take the time to do my workouts. I want to spend time with family and enjoy delicious food goshdangit! I still continue to watch my portion control and make a conscious effort to choose "better" choices on the menu...but then I start to feel guilty. I can't eat this if I didn't work out today. This is totally going to ruin ALL my progress. Even if it's a little piece...why am I enjoying my favorite german chocolate pie from Marie Calendars? These are some things I remind myself of in order to avoid the ever-looming healthy living "guilt".

1. Realize That You're Not Perfect
You're human, you need some chocolate now and then. Specifically that amazing pie from last weekend. As long as it's not an everyday occurrence, you should allow yourself to indulge occasionally. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet...you're going to be doing this the rest of your life so you have to be realistic. So don't beat yourself up every time you give in!

2. Progress Is Perfection
If you're off track for one or even two days, just hop right back on that train and keep going. One weekend is not going to completely and drastically mess up a week's worth of training/clean eating. I'm loving this quote "progress IS perfection" because it's a reminder that every little bit counts, and that being perfect is not the end result, you're perfect because you're trying.

3. Don't Give Up!
The best and most cliche point of all time. DONT GIVE UP. Keep plugging away at your goal. It takes some people days, months, or even years to reach their ideal end result. With every set back you gotta come back stronger and with more resolve. At the very least be consistent!

And if you needed some more inspiration...here's some Ryan Gosling hotness for you.
You're welcome.

7 comments:

Chelsea said...

Love what you said about "progress being perfection" :) I need to remind myself of that with EVERYTHING!

Allyson Grace said...

Love this! I was definitely feeling guilty about eating ice cream last night when it was not a planned cheat night. But I feel much better now! Good things to keep in mind.

The Southern Thing said...

I don't know what I would do without the MFP app! It's a life changer for sure!

Messy Mornings & Mascara said...

Hello, I'm your newest follower. Such a sweet and encouraging blog, I am glad I came across your site! :))
Loveeeee this post, so encouraging!

Unknown said...

Great words of encouragement, something we should all remember in this journey. Do not give up! And Ryan will be waiting for us at the end of that tunnel. =)
I'm on MFP My name is msmeggie85...I'd love to make some more friends over there.
Meg
msmayg.blogspot.com

Brooke said...

"Progress is perfection". SO SO true!

Janette said...

That quote!! Need it ingrained in my head! Seriously.. if I mess up once..just once.. like I take a bite of a cookie.. I just throw the towel in.. I've ruined my week of being good.. And then I just go crazy... I think, "Might as well eat that whole pizza since I ruined it with that cookie.." LOL It makes NO sense that I would live my life like that.. But I've always been an "all or nothing" kind of girl.. I'm happy to report that I'm much better about it (lately anyway)And your tips are helpful! Being good is so hard.. Especially when your husband is not and likes to eat tacos and shakes at ungodly hours of the night..


♥,


Janette

Janette Lane Blog