falling off

when i say i "fell off", i don't mean in the worst way possible, so please don't sit back and think i've just gone back to eating meat and eating bon bons and cake and ice cream every day.  i still eat relatively healthy...i HAVE, however, indulged in a little more chocolate lately. WHATEVER IT'S MY TIME OF THE MONTH DON'T GIVE ME SHIT!  i have to live with the consequences, not you.  and believe me, its definitely weighing on me mentally.  i've been doing so well and i'm so disappointed in myself for being so below par with my diet and exercise habits these past 3 weeks.  i actually haven't gained any weight, which is a blessing...but i haven't lost any either, which is....well its not really a curse.  i guess its just mehhh.  i've got to step it up though.  so here is what i suggest when you fall off of your routine:

Water

drink tons and tons of water.  i started drinking those 101.4 oz bottles of Deer Park last week.  its so awesome, but it's also a little intimidating.  i've found, though, that i start kind of racing against my mind in drinking it.  the more water that disappears from the bottle, the more excited i get, and in turn i drink more and more until its all gone.  awesome.

Eat Tasty Healthy Food

if you have a Trader Joe's around you, take a trip one day and explore all they have to offer.  i found some Crispy Jeju Mandarin Orange Slices the other day....WHEW CHILD!!!  delicious!  and THEE WHOLE BAG is only 110 calories (SAY WHAT?!).  start putting more seasoning into the plain and mundane.  you'd be surprised at just how delicious something so boring can be.  for example, i've have grits every morning this week, but each day they've been seasoned differently.  monday, my boyfriend put scrambled tofu, green and red peppers, and carrots in them.  yesterday (tues.) he put imitation chicken bouillon (vegan) and  daiya vegan jack cheese.  and today he put garlic and basil in them.  to be honest i never thought about doing that...i usually eat my grits with earth balance and little bit of salt.  crazy that something i'm so used to being so boring can be so awesome!  

i also have been using bulgur wheat to sub for my tofu sometimes - i've been using it in my nacho salads lately, which is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

step outside of your food comfort zone for once, i promise its worth it.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

i think we all know that when we surround ourselves with negative people we tend to be more negative.  i know that's a fact for me.  i lay on the couch, watch tv a lot more (i barely watch tv, i hate it actually, but that's a-whole-nother story), I EAT TERRIBLE.  it's like no matter what you do, when you are around someone that is unhappy or negative or just lazy, it rubs off on you.  get around happy people!  active people!  positive people!  you will be so motivated to do better when you are around people that are actively BEING BETTER.

Stick Yourself in Nature

i've found that when i'm in an exercise rut that nature kind of helps puts me back into my place.  take a long walk, feed the ducks, garden, pick flowers, or even JUST BREATHE IN SOME FRESH AIR.  being connected with nature is just so uplifting, it always motivates me to do and be better (because really, i KNOW better).

Purge

and no, i don't mean by PUKING, you freakazoid.  go through your home and chuck things that you just don't use anymore.  got a ton of clothes in your closet that you haven't worn in about a year?  GOODWILL!  i recently went through my closet and bagged up some clothes to take the to the goodwill, and it just feels so nice to get rid of things.  i'm so used to recycling my clothes year after year and just accessorizing with jewelry or jackets and cardigans...but when i cleaned out my closet and got rid of things that i don't use anymore i just felt so invigorated.

there are so many more things you can do, but you have to know yourself :)  you've got to know what strikes that spark in you.  GET TO IT!