No More Guilt: Handling Food Slip-Ups the Healthy Way

Ever find yourself regretting a meal choice or feeling guilty for eating something "off-plan"? It happens to the best of us! 

But now what?

Most people will:

• Mentally beat themselves up with thoughts like “I always do this” or “I shouldn’t have eaten that” or “why can’t I stick to a plan”
• Start skipping meals to make up for the slip-up
• Or hit the gym like crazy to “burn it off”

Unfortunately, none of those will help you improve your relationship with food and fitness any faster.

In fact, some studies suggest that being overly self-critical or trying to compensate by skipping meals or over-exercising can actually backfire — leading to more stress, more cravings, and a higher chance of repeating the same behaviors!

So before you write off the rest of the week or make any drastic decisions, let's talk about what to do next:

1. Drink a big glass of water. This will help you feel refreshed and energized if you just ate a sugary or heavy meal. Plus, sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger!
2. Go for a walk.This is NOT about burning calories. A short walk can help clear your mind, level out your blood sugar, and get you back on track.
3. Reflect on what led you to deviate from your goal. Was it stress? Boredom? Procrastination? When you understand your triggers, you’ll be ready with a plan to handle them differently next time.
4. Make your next meal a healthy option that you enjoy. This is your chance to get right back on track. Choose something nutritious that makes you feel good and keep it moving! 

Remember…

Building a stronger body at ANY age is made up of lots of little decisions.

That means one slip-up isn’t going to make a big difference…

Just like one meal or one workout won’t either! 

Even 80% effort will get you results if you just don’t quit. 

Take this as your sign to keep going :) 

Committed to your health and happiness, 

The Method3 Fitness Team